Bayer Leverkusen held 1-1 away to Brest in UEFA Champions League

Home Leverkusen Bayer Leverkusen held 1-1 away to Brest in UEFA Champions League

Despite taking the lead through star man Florian Wirtz, Bayer Leverkusen were unable to maintain their 100 per cent record in the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League as they were held to a 1-1 draw away to surprise package Brest on Matchday 3.

Brest 1-1 Bayer LeverkusenGoals: 0-1 Wirtz 24' (assist: Hofmann), 1-1 Lees-Melou 39' (assist: Camara)

Leverkusen dominated the early stages in Brittany and took a deserved lead through Germany star Wirtz. The playmaker benefitted from some nice work by Jonas Hofmann - as well as a lapse in Brest's defending - and broke into the box to drill coolly into the bottom corner. Things were looking good for Xabi Alonso's side, for whom Wirtz almost killed off the match with a dazzling run and finish, but the undaunted hosts started to push back and Pierre Lees-Melou capped their resurgence with a stunning volley that levelled it up at 1-1.

After the break, Brest picked up where they had left off and, with Lees-Melou pulling the strings in the middle and going close to a second early on, Leverkusen struggled to create much danger - despite keeper Matěj Kovář's not having too much to do other than deny Mehdi Camara. Alonso, who made seven changes for this match, brought on first-team regulars Jeremie Frimpong, Amine Adli and Granit Xhaka on the hour-mark, but it was the hosts who looked more likely to score as the clock ticked down. However, despite a late chance for Brest sub Mama Baldé and a penalty claim for Hofmann, the score remained level until the final whistle as both sides hung onto their unbeaten status.

Brest: Bizot - Lala, Chardonnet (c), Coulibaly, Haïdara - Camara (Doumbia 83'), Lees-Melou, Magnetti (83') - Del Castillo (Faivre 72'), Ajorque (Salah 72'), Sima (Baldé 66')Unused subs: Coudert, Jauny, Ndiaye, Doumbia, Camblan, Amavi, Pereira Lage, MartinOut: Locko (ineligible), Zogbé (ineligible) Coach: Éric Roy

Leverkusen: Kovář - Mukiele (Tapsoba 72'), Tah (c), Hincapie, Grimaldo - Palacios (Xhaka 63'), García - Wirtz, Hofmann, Tella (Frimpong 63') - Schick (Adli 63', Terrier 81')Unused subs: Hradecky, Lomb, Andrich, Arthur, Onyeka, Belocian Out: Boniface (hand) Coach: Xabi Alonso

The midfielder holds his head after squandering a good opportunity to retake the lead.

© IMAGO/Baptiste Autissier

What an end to this match! Brest came out after half time with a point to prove and were all over Leverkusen initially. Alonso's three changes brought them back into the contest but tensions started to rise and tackles flew in. Brest had the best chance of the half through Baldé, and both teams had chaotic moments in both penalty areas, but neither side could break the deadlock. Alonso, convinced his team should've been awarded a penalty after a challenge on Hofmann, was sent to the stands after a second yellow card. It ends all square, both sides remaining unbeaten in the Champions League after a hard fought affair.

Grimaldo wins a corner for Leverkusen with some tenacious work down the left. Garcia takes it, a right-footed inswinger, but the keeper claws it away and Brest can clear.

There's a game of pinball in the Brest box after a Leverkusen free-kick. It eventually drops to Wirtz, but he smashes the ball well over the bar and squanders the opportunity.

Chaos in the Leverkusen box ensues after a Salah cross, but it will not drop nicely for any of the Brest players. That could've been it.

After picking up his second yellow card of the game, the Leverkusen coach is dismissed.

The VAR confirms the referee's original decision.

Whilst we wait for the VAR check, the fourth official confirms there will be a minimum of seven minutes added on.

The midfielder goes down in the Brest box, but the referee immediately waves away any protest for a penalty. There is a lengthy VAR check underway though.

A long ball releases Baldé in behind the Leverkusen defence. He charges into the box and tries to beat the keeper at the near post but shoots into the side netting. Salah was waiting unmarked in the middle there if he could've found him...

After a tough challenge from Haïdara, Adli stayed down and has now been replaced with Martin Terrier.

One or two challenges in the last few minutes have been a bit heavy. Tensions are rising here.

Nothing comes of the free-kick after Wirtz' foul. But the ball is put back in from the left where it finds Camara. He strikes on the half-volley and his powerful shot is tipped over well by Kovář. Brest are still looking dangerous.

With the Leverkusen change, the hosts seem to have reverted back to their usual back three formation.

The defender rises highest at the back post and connects with the ball from the corner. But in heading the ball down, the momentum is taken out of the ball and the keeper can collect.

A VAR check is over that was looking at a handball claim that would've resulted in a penalty. It's cleared, however, and Leverkusen get a corner.

A Wirtz cross flies across the face of goal and Haïdara nearly puts it in his own goal, but manages to clear wide of the post to concede a corner.

Alonso making three substitutions, says all it needs as to how he feels about his team's performance. They've been second best this second half.

Brest have kept the ball in the Leverkusen half well this second half. A period of extended pressure results in their first corner of the game, but nothing comes of it.

Brest give the ball away on the edge of their box. Wirtz collects but is caught in two minds whether to shoot or to pass and the chance goes begging. What a let off for Brest that was.

Once again, it's worked to him on the edge of the box. This time his curling left-footed effort flies only narrowly over the top left corner. They've started much better this half.

Brest have started the second half brightly. It's worked to the by-line before being cut back Lees-Melou, whose left footed shot flies well over the bar.

Brest get the ball rolling here in the second half.

Wirtz celebrates opening the scoring with his teammates.

It was a slow start to the game, Leverkusen dominated possession but neither side had any clear cut chances until after the 20th minute. Seemingly out of nowhere, the visitors combined well and the ball fell to Florian Wirtz, who dispatched from the edge of the box for his third Champions League goal of the season. The visitors were truly on top and looking for a second when a shock wonder strike from Lees-Melou brought the hosts level near the end of the half. It's level at the break and poised for an electric second half.

The fourth official confirms there will be a minimum of two minutes added on at the end of this half.

The goal has really invigorated the hosts here. They're playing with much more dynamism and energy. Leverkusen aren't being allowed much time on the ball at all.

A looping cross from the left is dropping on the edge of the box. Lees-Melou arrives and hits it first time on the volley, thumping home an unbelievable strike into the bottom corner. Game on!

Hincapié fouls close to the Leverkusen box. It's a free-kick in a good position. Del Castillo takes, but drags it wide right of the goal.

Lala returns to the pitch as Brest don't make a change.

The Brest player fell awkwardly and is off receiving treatment.

The starlet gets his third Champions League goal of the campaign here in Brest.

He could've had a brace there. He slalomed past a few defenders on the edge of the box and manages to somehow get a shot away. But there's not enough power behind it and the keeper saves comfortably.

There's a feeling that Leverkusen want to kill this game off quickly. Tella is played through by Hofmann, who's pulling the strings from midfield nicely, but nothing comes of the chance. The visitors are pushing here.

Leverkusen play some nice football down the left. It's played into Wirtz in the middle, who is initially muscled off the ball. But it drops to Hofmann, who feeds Wirtz through and he finishes coolly into the bottom left. 1-0 Leverkusen.

A free-kick from a good position is taken by Brest. It's an in-swinger off the left, but it's floated straight into the hands of Kovár. Wasted opportunity.

Neither side has managed any clear cut chances yet this half. As expected, Leverkusen have dominated possession but Brest have defended well and played out of tight areas at times. We're just lacking that little bit of quality here so far.

Wirtz plays a ball towards the byline for Schick to run on to. He tries to cut it back to the arriving Hofmann, but the ball gets stuck under his boot.

A long ball switches play out to Tella on the right, who wins the first corner of the game. Grimaldo takes short, playing a one-two, but nothing comes of his subsequent delivery.

Hincapié gives the ball away at the back but Brest can't capitalise. The French side are pressing well though.

The opening chance of the game goes Leverkusen's way. Tella works it down the right and crosses it in. The ball is laid off to García on the edge of the box, but his powerful shot is blocked.

Leverkusen get us underway here in Brest.

Brest may sigh a relief that Martin Terrier is starting on the bench in his first game back in France since his summer move. With former side Rennes he's on a three-game scoring streak against Brest, and may have the chance to extend that tonight.

This is Matěj Kovář's Champions League debut. The Czech shot stopper regularly stood in for Lukáš Hrádecký in last season's Europa League, but this is his first game in the top tier.

© IMAGO/Dennis Ewert/RHR-FOTO

Bundesliga Player of the Season Wirtz was a doubt for this match due to an injury picked up with Germany, yet he still returned against Frankfurt and played a role in Leverkusen's key win. Starting today, the 21-year-old will be expected to get up and running straight away.

Leverkusen will be aware of Brest's lofty striker Ludovic Ajorque who is on loan from Mainz. Having managed three goals for the 05ers last season, he's already got two goals and two assists back in France.

© IMAGO/Gerhard Schultheiß

Only Tah, Hincapié and Grimaldo stay in place after Leverkusen's 2-1 win over Frankfurt. Brest only make three changes from a 1-1 draw with Rennes as Amavi and Ndiaye drop out at the back for Coulibaly and Haïdara, while Sima comes in for Pereira Lage up front.

Bizot - Lala, Chardonnet (c), Coulibaly, Haïdara - Camara, Lees-Melou, Magnetti - Del Castillo, Ajorque, Sima

Coudert, Jauny, Ndiaye, Fernandes, Doumbia, Camblan, Baldé, Faivre, Amavi, Pereira Lage, Martin, Salah

Kovář - Mukiele, Tah (c), Hincapié, Grimaldo - Palacios, García - Wirtz, Hofmann, Tella - Schick

Hradecky, Lomb, Andrich, Terrier, Tapsoba, Arthur, Adli, Frimpong, Xhaka, Onyeka, Belocian

After it emerged that the Nigerian striker was involved in a car accident, Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso had this to say about his star striker's absence this evening: “It’s a purely precautionary measure. He’s doing well physically but we want to rest him. Following the accident it’s primarily about Victor Boniface as a person and not as a player. It was a serious matter and a shock for the two of them and us all. They were lucky. Things like that can happen to anybody at any time. We’ll see how he is when we get back.”

© IMAGO/Heiko Blatterspiel

He scored five goals in Leverkusen's route to the UEFA Europa League final last season. Can the Czech international striker shine under the Champions League spotlight?

After his late heroics against Frankfurt, Boniface suffered injuries to his hand in a car accident and has not travelled to France. Patrik Schick is therefore expected to lead the line.

© IMAGO/Dennis Ewert/RHR-FOTO

Leverkusen's France-born midfielder Amine Adli has a better understanding than most of the threat Brest pose his side this week. "As a Frenchman, I know that playing against a side like this in Guingamp won’t be easy," he said. "It’s going to be a nice game, though, and I hope we can bring home all three points."

© DFL/ Getty Images/ Leonhard Simon

The hosts have surprised many by claiming two wins from two and their coach, Éric Roy, knows there are big tests to come for his side, starting with Leverkusen. "We know that some of the next few games will be tough," said Roy. "However, I don’t approach these games any differently. Quite the opposite."

Victor Boniface was on target again as Leverkusen came from behind to beat Frankfurt.

Brest have won three, drawn one and lost four of their opening eight Ligue 1 games and currently sit in 11th. Leverkusen have won four, drawn two and lost one of their opening seven games and sit in 4th.

Leverkusen and Brest are two sides with a 100 percent record so far in the Champions League, creating an intriguing tie between two sides hoping to remain unbeaten. Brest have beaten Austrian sides Sturm Graz and RB Salzburg while Leverkusen have triumphed against Feyenoord and AC Milan.

Brest may be adept at catching opponents off guard, but Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso has forged a side of steely-minded winners who can never be counted out. The Werkself have lost just once in ten outings so far this season (3-2 to Leipzig on Matchday 2) and have already clinched a title - the DFL-Supercup (6-5 on pens. over Stuttgart).

One player in Xabi Alonso' side is no stranger to surprise packet Brest: Martin Terrier, who arrived in Leverkusen from Rennes - Les Pirates' Brittany derby rivals - in the summer. The elegant attacking midfielder racked up three goals and an assist in his eight league clashes with Brest (playing for Rennes and Lyon before that) and is a strong chance for a starting berth in Guingamp.

© IMAGO/Oliver Zimmermann

There have been question marks over Bayer's Germany playmaker Florian Wirtz, who picked up an ankle injury while on national-team duty, but the 21-year-old looks to be recovering quickly having made a substitute appearance against Eintracht at the weekend and is tipped to be good to resume his six-goal, one-assist season (across all competitions) on Wednesday.

© IMAGO/Gladys Chai von der Laage

Although Bayer Leverkusen have never faced off against French outfit Brest before, the sides do have something in common: it's best not to underestimate them! Like Xabi Alonso's historic Bundesliga champions, Brest played out of their skins last season, and duly earned a place in the continent's top competition for the first time ever. And like Leverkusen, Les Pirates have won both of their matches so far this campaign. An intriguing matchup as second play host to fourth at the Stade du Roudourou in Guingamp on Wednesday...

© IMAGO/kolbert-press/Marc Niemeyer

Thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of Bayer Leverkusen's third UEFA Champions League game of the 2024/25 league phase away at Brest on Wednesday.

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