Bayer Leverkusen's head coach, Kasper Hjulmand, expressed his satisfaction after their unexpected 2-0 victory over Manchester City in the Champions League. Goals from Alejandro Grimaldo and Patrik Schick
secured the win at the Etihad Stadium. Despite City manager Pep Guardiola making ten changes to his lineup, including resting Erling Haaland, Hjulmand believes these changes did not affect the match's outcome.
Leverkusen's defensive performance was crucial in their triumph. Although City had more shots, 19 compared to Leverkusen's seven, and led in expected goals (xG) with 1.78 to 0.51, former Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken made nine crucial saves. This victory marked Leverkusen's second win in this Champions League campaign, setting a high standard for future matches.
Hjulmand took charge of the team in September after Erik ten Hag's brief tenure of three games. He praised his team's character and resilience, stating, "We are so happy with this win, but not only the win, but the character the team showed. I have great respect for the players, for the team we are. " He emphasized that this victory is a significant milestone in their development journey.
Jarell Quansah played a pivotal role in Leverkusen's defense. The England international won three out of six duels and had 76 touches during the game. Speaking to TNT Sports, Quansah shared his excitement: "It's an unbelievable feeling. We needed a lot of character and a lot of fight and grit. " He acknowledged City's world-class quality and noted that defending against them was challenging.
The match saw City fielding their second-youngest starting XI ever in a Champions League game, with an average age of 24 years and 353 days. Despite this youthful lineup, Leverkusen managed to hold their ground effectively throughout the match.
Upcoming Challenges
Leverkusen currently holds third place in the Bundesliga standings. They are preparing for back-to-back encounters with Borussia Dortmund—a league match on Saturday followed by a DFB-Pokal last-16 clash three days later. These upcoming fixtures will test Leverkusen's consistency and ability to maintain their winning momentum.
Hjulmand remains optimistic about his team's potential and growth prospects following this memorable victory against Manchester City. The coach believes that such performances provide valuable experience and motivation for future challenges on both domestic and European fronts.
