Bundesliga
Leverkusen denied victory in Brittany
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 Leverkusen
Goals: 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.
Match stats
- Wirtz now has three goals in three Champions League matches - as well as three Player of the Match awards - and it's his first time in Europe's top club competition. An auspicious start from the Germany star and reigning Bundesliga Player of the Season in his first UCL campaign...
- Alonso, a two-time winner of the competition as a player, remains undefeated as a coach in this his first campaign in a Champions League dugout (two wins, one draw).
- Leverkusen have lost just two of their past 63 games in all competitions and Die Werkself are now unbeaten in their last four visits to France, winning two and drawing two.
- Brest's goal was the first conceded by Xabi Alonso's side in this season's Champions League.
Line-ups
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, Martin
Out: 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
As it happened!
1 - 1(1 - 1)
Brest
FINAL
Leverkusen
vs
Full-time: Brest 1-1 Leverkusen
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.
90' +7
vs
Late corner
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.
90' +6
vs
Wirtz puts it over
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.
90' +5
vs
Lees-Melou
90' +4
vs
Chaos!
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.
90' +3
vs
Alonso sent off
After picking up his second yellow card of the game, the Leverkusen coach is dismissed.
90' +2
vs
Jonathan Tah
90'
vs
No penalty
The VAR confirms the referee's original decision.
89'
vs
Seven additional minutes
Whilst we wait for the VAR check, the fourth official confirms there will be a minimum of seven minutes added on.
89'
vs
Hofmann goes down
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.
87'
vs
Golden chance for Baldé
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...
72'
vs
Jeremie Frimpong
84'
vs
Salah
83'
vs
Doumbia
Magnetti
83'
vs
Fernandes
Camara
80'
vs
Adli limps off
After a tough challenge from Haïdara, Adli stayed down and has now been replaced with Martin Terrier.
80'
vs
Martin Terrier
Amine Adli
78'
vs
Getting physical
One or two challenges in the last few minutes have been a bit heavy. Tensions are rising here.
76'
vs
Good save by Kovář
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.
75'
vs
Florian Wirtz
74'
vs
Back to a back three
With the Leverkusen change, the hosts seem to have reverted back to their usual back three formation.
73'
vs
Edmond Tapsoba
Nordi Mukiele
72'
vs
Faivre
Del Castillo
72'
vs
Salah
Ajorque
69'
vs
Chance for Tah
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.
68'
vs
No penalty
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.
66'
vs
Baldé
Sima
66'
vs
Haïdara nearly scores an own goal
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.
64'
vs
Triple change
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.
63'
vs
Jeremie Frimpong
Patrik Schick
63'
vs
Granit Xhaka
Exequiel Palacios
63'
vs
Amine Adli
Nathan Tella
57'
vs
On the front foot
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.
53'
vs
Chance squandered
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.
50'
vs
Another chance for Lees-Melou
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.
47'
vs
Not this time
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.
46'
vs
Back underway
Brest get the ball rolling here in the second half.
vs
Half-time: Brest 1-1 Leverkusen
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.
45'
vs
Two additional minutes
The fourth official confirms there will be a minimum of two minutes added on at the end of this half.
44'
vs
Home side lifted
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.
39'
vs
What a strike!
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!
38'
vs
Chance for Brest
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.
33'
vs
Back on
Lala returns to the pitch as Brest don't make a change.
32'
vs
Lala hobbling
The Brest player fell awkwardly and is off receiving treatment.
30'
vs
So close for Wirtz
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.
28'
vs
Pushing for a second
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.
24'
vs
Wirtz!
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.
21'
vs
Free-kick
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.