Bayer Leverkusen Struggles in Ten Hag's Debut, Falling 1-5 to Flamengo U20

Bayer Leverkusen faced a significant setback as they endured a heavy defeat in their first match under new coach Erik ten Hag, losing 1-5 to Flamengo's U20 team in a test match in Rio de Janeiro. The encounter, which showcased the challenges ahead for the former maestro of Leverkusen, took place with the host team bolstered by four professional players. Ten Hag emphasized that the results of such preparatory matches are not his primary concern, stating, "The result looks bad, but preparation match results are actually irrelevant to me." He stressed the importance of keeping players uninjured and suggested that the timing of the match could have been more beneficial if scheduled later.

Despite the match being a test, the underwhelming performance revealed a substantial amount of work awaiting the new coach, tasked with succeeding Xabi Alonso. Ten Hag acknowledged the challenging task at hand, making intentional decisions in his lineup to test his mixed team approach. Choosing not to deploy new recruits Quansah and Kofane, who had only recently joined training, Ten Hag reshuffled his squad every 30 minutes, balancing six professionals with five players from the U19 squad at the start. The Flamengo youth team, reigning U20 South American champions, proved formidable, particularly in terms of speed. Amidst the action, Leverkusen's Brazilian player Arthur inadvertently scored an own goal, contributing to the 0-2 score in front of approximately 1000 spectators.

The game eventually settled with experienced players like Hradecky, Tapsoba, Xhaka, Andrich, and Palacios finding footing in the final stages after initially trailing 0-5. Leverkusen managed to net one goal, courtesy of U19 player Montrell Cullbreath, garnering recognition for his effort. Ten Hag found solace in the last 30 minutes of play, noting, "The last 30 minutes were good; there were signs we can build on." He also recognized the significant lack of cohesion earlier in the match, describing those initial phases as challenging.

The match began unfavorably for Leverkusen as they conceded a goal to Lorran in merely two minutes, followed by a curious own goal made by defender Arthur in the 10th minute. The first half concluded with the Werkself trailing by four goals, with Matheus Goncalves and Pedro adding to Flamengo's tally. Upon another reshuffle in the team lineup around the 60-minute mark, where prominent players like Xhaka and Schick entered the field, Leverkusen improved their game. Despite this late surge and creating several chances, Gusttavo added to Flamengo's lead before the young Cullbreath marked Bayer's sole response.

Ten Hag expressed confidence that the defeat holds negligible significance for ongoing training sessions, valuing the observations gathered over the result itself. He justified the strategic rotations, emphasizing player readiness post-vacation and safeguarding against injuries over extending their commitments on the pitch too early. This approach, while sacrificing immediate results, concentrates on uncovering the squad's potentials during formative test matches that prioritize long-term gains.

As Leverkusen progresses through their training camp in Rio, the focus remains on refining teamwork and fitness, with the next test scheduled against Bundesliga relegation graduate VfL Bochum. Bayer's engagement in Rio aims at ensuring players adapt to heightened demands and nurture emerging talents within the team. As they prepare for upcoming challenges, the current experiences are set to enrich their strategic acumen. Moving forward, Leverkusen works to capitalize on training insights, integrating youthful exuberance with seasoned resolve under ten Hag's watchful eye.