Leverkusen’s Growth and Future Aspirations After Victory Against Manchester City

In an interview with GGFN, Bayer Leverkusen’s sporting director, Simon Rolfes, discussed the team’s recent growth following their 2-0 triumph over Manchester City in the Champions League.

Prior to this match, Leverkusen faced difficulties against teams of similar caliber, succumbing to a 3-0 defeat against Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga and suffering a staggering 7-2 loss to PSG during the Champions League competition.

As they prepared for the encounter with City, there were concerns that the same fate could befall them, particularly given the injuries plaguing die Werkself.

When asked if the team had learned from their previous setbacks against Bayern and PSG, Rolfes responded:

“Absolutely, and that is precisely what I expect. With numerous young players in our squad, it is unrealistic to anticipate that we would consistently win or be as competitive as last year’s team. However, I expect us to learn from these challenging experiences and recognize our mistakes. Today, we aimed to demonstrate greater maturity, be smarter in critical situations, and exhibit the courage to play our style and showcase our quality.”

Leverkusen’s victory over City was characterized by a solid defensive display and clinical finishing, highlighted by goals from Alejandro Grimaldo and Patrik Schick. Their contributions were particularly significant, as they have been instrumental to Leverkusen’s success in recent years.

Looking ahead, Leverkusen’s next challenge will be against Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga this Saturday, presenting another significant test for head coach Kasper Hjulmand’s team.

Regarding whether the win against City could serve as a catalyst for the upcoming match against Dortmund, Rolfes remarked:

“Yes, but each match possesses its own dynamics. Certainly, the confidence gained from this victory will benefit us as a team. Establishing strong connections among players is crucial for becoming a top or competitive team, both on and off the pitch. They share a strong bond, and navigating through tough moments, such as our loss to PSG, is essential. Ultimately, these experiences foster resilience, which is vital for us, both on and off the field.”

With this victory, Bayer Leverkusen now sits in 17th place, a relatively secure position in the playoff standings. This result should serve as a springboard for their Champions League campaign, especially following earlier struggles against PSV, Copenhagen, PSG, and Benfica in their initial games.