Boniface's outstanding display surpasses Bayer's remarkable return to form
In a stunning display of talent, Bayer Leverkusen reignites their dominance on the football stage. In the initial 45 minutes versus Feyenoord Rotterdam, the team plays flawlessly. Florian Wirtz scores a pair, with Victor Boniface casting a captivating performance for the audience.
Wirtz, the illusionist of the pitch, dazzles Europe's biggest football stage in Bayer Leverkusen's debut in the Champions League. The prodigy guides the chilled double champions, leading them to a thrilling 4-0 (4-0) victory against the Dutch Champions League winners, Feyenoord Rotterdam.
In the boisterous atmosphere at the legendary "De Kuip" arena, Wirtz remained unfazed - his joy for the game shining through. With a captivating entrance, he scored two goals in his debut, making history as the first German professional to achieve this feat in the Champions League.
Alejandro Grimaldo (30) and an own goal by Timon Wellenreuther (45), former Schalke goalkeeper, somewhat diminished Bayer Leverkusen's historic victory earned against Shakhtar Donetsk in 2013. In their first international game since their Europa League final loss against Atalanta Bergamo, Leverkusen handled Feyenoord with ease, particularly in the first half. Their subsequent opponent is AC Milan (1 October).
Wirtz's extraordinary game
For Wirtz, this game was particularly memorable. His previous Champions League season was cut short by a cruciate ligament injury with Bayer in 2022/23. Now, as a national team member, he celebrated his exciting debut with vital goals. Just like he had announced beforehand, "I wanted to show what I'm capable of and see what I can achieve in the Champions League."
The energetic young star did not even take five minutes for his first strike. After a Netherlands fumble, Wirtz promptly seized the opportunity and confidently sent the ball swirling into the net. Feyenoord, with their new Liverpool manager, Arne Slot, quickly replied, but Ramiz Zerrouki (9) was disqualified due to an offside mistake in the supposed equalizer.
The team, with former FC Liverpool and Real Madrid champion Xabi Alonso as its coach, began dominating the game. With the resourceful Robert Andrich in the midfield, the crowd fell silent, leaving the Dutch supporters in awe. The Bayer defence, led by Lukas Hradecky, handled the few chances Feyenoord managed to create.
Own goal for Wellenreuther
Bayer's offense executed their moves with precision. Grimaldo finished a swift attack initiated by Boniface, who delivered an incredible, cheeky, and genius pass. Boniface diverted two opponents with a Steckpass, then feigned a shot with one foot, deceiving the Feyenoord defence with an incredible body feint, resulting in Grimaldo's goal. Wirtz once again contributed to the third goal by tapping in a cross with a direct shot. The fourth goal was sadly an own goal by Timon Wellenreuther, who headed a header from Edmond Tapsoba into his own net.
Wirtz capitalized on an early opportunity in the second half with a dangerous shot (51), but the team calmed down after that. Hradecky had to intercept Quentin Timber's (55) water-level shot, and Boniface attempted to shoot from almost halfway, failing.
Alonso removed Wirtz from the field approximately 70 minutes into the game. In the closing moments, Leverkusen narrowly avoided a few daunting situations, even when the supposed last-minuteg goal of the Dutch was called off due to an offside violation (73) by Ayase Ueda.
The first one to celebrate after Wirtz's historic first-half double was none other than Xabi Alonso, who was thrilled with the team's impressive performance. Following this stellar showing, many are now wondering if Wirtz and Alonso can lead Bayer Leverkusen to even greater heights in the upcoming Champions League games.
