Bayer Leverkusen defeat Union Berlin 4-0 in Carles Martínez home debut
Argentine scorers Ezequiel Fernández and Facundo Medina netted early goals alongside Patrik Schick and Ibrahim Maza as Leverkusen secured their first league points.
Early breakthrough at BayArena
Bayer Leverkusen recorded their first victory of the Bundesliga season with a 4-0 home win over 1. FC Union Berlin on Saturday. Head coach Carles Martínez led the team in his first competitive home match in front of 29,629 spectators at the BayArena, responding to a 3-2 defeat against promoted SV Elversberg on the opening weekend. Before kickoff, Martínez addressed the team's mindset following that loss.
The fact that we delivered such a poor performance last week annoys me, and that is why it is now time to show a reaction.
The home side opened the scoring after 44 seconds when Ezequiel Fernández initiated an attacking move and converted from close range following a cutback from the baseline by Miguel Gutiérrez. The effort was the Argentine midfielder's first goal for the club.
Argentine defenders double the advantage
Leverkusen maintained attacking momentum throughout the first half while limiting Union Berlin's opportunities. Union goalkeeper Frederik Rønnow, returning to the lineup following an injury layoff, made early saves against Ibrahim Maza in the sixth minute and Patrik Schick in the ninth. Union's few offensive incursions relied on long throw-ins, culminating in a Josip Juranović shot that was blocked near the penalty box edge before the interval. In the 28th minute, Schick headed against the underside of the crossbar, but Leverkusen kept the ball in play. Gutiérrez delivered a cross that Facundo Medina headed into the net, registering his first Bundesliga goal in his first start since joining from Marseille.
- Ezequiel Fernández scores opening goal from Miguel Gutiérrez assist
- Facundo Medina heads in second goal following Schick hitting crossbar
- Patrik Schick scores third goal from Jarell Quansah pass
- Ibrahim Maza scores fourth goal after give-and-go with Schick
- Moussa Diaby comes on as substitute
Second-half control and substitutions
Leverkusen concluded the first half with nine total shots, putting five on target and four off target, compared to a single off-target attempt from the Berlin side. Bayer struck again within three minutes of the restart when defender Jarell Quansah crossed from the right wing to Schick, who finished with his left foot in the 48th minute for his second goal of the league season. Union manager Mauro Lustrinelli made a triple substitution shortly after, but the tactical shift did not alter the run of play. In the 66th minute, Maza combined with Schick in a one-two before scoring with a long-range shot to make it 4-0.
- Leverkusen shots on target
- 5 shots
- Leverkusen shots off target
- 4 shots
- Union Berlin shots off target
- 1 shots
Squad adjustments and season outlook
Martínez adjusted his starting eleven compared to the season opener, bringing in Quansah and Medina while leaving Lucas Vázquez and Loïc Badé on the bench. The club completed 60 million euros in transfer business during the week, signing winger Moussa Diaby and defender Guéla Doué. Doué was unavailable due to muscular issues, but Diaby entered as a substitute in the 67th minute for his first appearance back at the club. The defeat leaves Union Berlin winless in eight visits to Leverkusen since their 2019 promotion, having drawn 3-3 with Eintracht Frankfurt on matchday one.
