Bayer Leverkusen made an emphatic start to their first UEFA Champions League campaign under Xabi Alonso by thrashing Feyenoord 4-0 in the Netherlands.

Feyenoord 0-4 Bayer Leverkusen
Goals: 0-1 Wirtz 5' (assist: Andrich), 0-2 Grimaldo 31' (assist: Frimpong), 0-3 Wirtz 36' (assist: Frimpong), 0-4 Wellenreuther (o.g. 45')

Leverkusen have already dropped points in the early part of their Bundesliga title defence, but they were back to their untouchable best at the De Kuip. Florian Wirtz set the tone inside five minutes with a well-struck finish after Ramiz Zerrouki had conceded possession to Robert Andrich. Zerrouki had a goal ruled out and Lukas Hrádecký made a routine save from In-Beom Hwang, before Alonso's side ran away with it. Jeremie Frimpong was heavily involved in quick-fire goals for Álex Grimaldo and Wirtz - the latter completing his brace with a fine volleyed finish. Bayer added a fourth late in the half, when Timo Wellenreuther could only help Edmond Tapsoba's header from a set-piece into his own net.

Leverkusen took their foot off the gas after the restart as Quinten Timber tested Hrádecký. The 2023/24 Eredivise runners-up continued to plug away, albeit without seriuously troubling Bayer's well-drilled defence. Victor Boniface and Grimaldo threatened at the other end, though it felt for long periods like the visitors were content just to sit on their sizeable advantage and preserve energy levels for Sunday's meeting with Wolfsburg. Exequiel Palacios was among the players introduced as the game wore on, the Argentina international twice going close to adding the gloss to a stand-up-and-take-notice performance by the men from the BayArena.

Match stats

• This is the first time Leverkusen scored four away goals in a Champions League match.
• Excluding qualifying, Wirtz’s age of 21 years and 139 days old makes him the second-youngest Leverkusen player ever to score on his Champions League debut. Marko Babić holds the record, netting at the age of 21 and 43 days against Juventus in 2002.
• Alonso made his Champions League coaching debut. The Spaniard made 119 appearances in the competition as a player, lifting the trophy with Liverpool (2004/05) and Real Madrid (2013/14).
• Leverkusen beat Feyenoord in their only meeting to date, prevailing 3-2 in the last 16 of the 1987/88 UEFA Cup on their way to lifting the trophy.
• Die Werkself are now unbeaten in their previous seven UEFA competition games against Dutch opposition (W3, D3).

Line-ups

Feyenoord: Wellenreuther - Lotomba (Hadj Moussa 61'), Beelen, Trauner (Mitchell 72'), Hancko - Hwang, Milambo, Zerrouki (Smal 46'), Timber (c) - Milambo (Nadje 75'), Giménez, Paixão (Ueda 61')
Unused subs: Bijlow, Berger, Gonzalez, Ivanušec, Carranza, Zechiel, Osman
Out: Hartman (knee), Stengs (knee)
Coach: Brian Priske 

Leverkusen: Hrádecký (c) - Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapié - Frimpong, Xhaka (Palacios 81'), Andrich, Grimaldo (Belocian 80') - Terrier (Adli 72'), Wirtz (García 72') - Boniface (Schick 62')
Unused subs: Kovář, Lomb, Hofmann, Arthur, Tella, Mukiele
Out: -
Coach: Xabi Alonso

As it happened!

0 - 4

(0 - 4)

Feyenoord

FINAL

Leverkusen

Champions League
League phase, Matchday 1 League phase, Matchday 1 De Kuip, Rotterdam

Full-time: Feyenoord 0-4 Bayer Leverkusen

A brilliant return to the Champions League for Leverkusen as they hammer Feyenoord 4-0. On his debut in this competition, Florian Wirtz opened the scoring inside the first five minutes before Alejandro Grimaldo doubled the advantage on the half-hour mark. Another Wirtz strike and a Timon Wellenreuther own goal completed the scoring, with the second period proving to be something of a procession.

© IMAGO/kolbert-press/Ant Palmer

Full-time

90'

+ 1

Off the line!

García almost nets his first goal for the club, but his deflected effort is cleared at the last.

90'

+ 1

Two minutes added on

120 seconds remaining in this one.

88'

Not long left

A comfortable few minutes surely await Leverkusen.

81'

Substitution

Exequiel Palacios

Granit Xhaka

80'

Substitution

Jeanuël Belocian

Alejandro Grimaldo

77'

Closer

Grimaldo tries to show Boniface how its done from the halfway line but, while his attempt is close to beating Wellenreuther, it still beats the post.

Wirtz off

What a night for the youngster - a brace on his Champions League debut.

© IMAGO/Feyenoord Rotterdam v Bayer 04 Leverkusen

73'

Goal! But...

Ueda has the ball in the back of the net for Feyenoord, but an offside in the build-up means the strike is chalked off.

72'

Substitution

Jeyland Mitchell

Gernot Trauner

72'

Substitution

Amine Adli

Martin Terrier

72'

Substitution

Aleix García

Florian Wirtz

69'

Still some way off top spot

Die Werkself are closing on a convincing victory, but they still have some way to go to move to the top of the league phase - Bayern currently occupy first place having hammered Dinamo Zagreb 9-2 on Tuesday.

62'

Boniface withdrawn

The Nigerian didn't get himself on the scoresheet but did contribute, particularly with that fantastic piece of skill for Grimaldo's strike.

62'

Substitution

Patrik Schick

Victor Boniface

61'

Substitution

Anis Hadj-Moussa

Jordan Lotomba

61'

Substitution

Ayase Ueda

Igor Paixão

61'

Cheeky!

Boniface is certainly feeling confident as he tries to beat Wellenreuther from the halfway line. It has the distance, but not the accuracy as it goes sails beyond the upright.

Good night at the office

Xabi Alonso will have enjoyed this one so far.

© IMAGO/Feyenoord Rotterdam v Bayer 04 Leverkusen

55'

Hrádecký saves

The Leverkusen dives well to keep out a rasping Timber effort from distance.

51'

Wirtz wide

A first chance of the second period for the man of the moment, but Wirtz can only fire well wide on this occasion.

49'

Hosts pushing

Feyenoord have a lot of work to do if they are to get anything from this game, so there isn't any time to waste.

46'

Back up and running

We are underway once again in Rotterdam, with Leverkusen in cruise control.

Kick-off!

Half-time: Feyenoord 0-4 Leverkusen

You've read that scoreline correctly. Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen have been untouchable at De Kuip. An attacking masterclass from Xabi Alonso's men has Bayer 04 out of sight at the break.

© IMAGO/Kirchner-Media/TH

44'

One more time

Feyenoord are furious, Leverkusen are delerious. This is truly incredible. Tapsoba nods the ball across the face and the ball is knocked over the line by Timon Wellenreuther. Where will this end?

44'

Wellenreuther o.g.

GOAL!

0:4

40'

Boniface off target

One of the few things that haven't worked out for Leverkusen up until now. A Boniface shot that goes wide.

De Kuip quiet

... apart from the noise of the travelling fans, that is.

© IMAGO/kolbert-press/Ant Palmer

36'

Leverkusen in dreamland

Wow. Just wow. Leverkusen are cruising. Frimpong has been a nightmare for Feyenoord, who just can't cope with their opponents' attacking pace. The Dutch player gets down the flank and spots Wirtz racing into the area. The pass is perfect, as is Wirtz's volleyed finish.

36'

Florian Wirtz

GOAL!

0:3

32'

Hosts hit back

Undeterred, Feyenoord are straight back at it. Paixão wallops an effort at the target, but Hrádecký is equal to it, the Leverkusen keeper batting the ball out.

30'

B04 double up

This is tasty from Leverkusen. Boniface plays a fade while Frimpong pokes a cross from the right. The ball takes a nick, bringing it into the path of Grimaldo, who simply has to slam high into the empty net.

30'

Alejandro Grimaldo

GOAL!

0:2

26'

Hwang goes close

The South Korean is allowed far too much time outside the Leverkusen area and can spin and shoot at the target. The ball zips narrowly wide.

23'

Boniface shot

The striker has a pop from distance. His effort takes a slight deflection but ultimately ends up safely in the hands of Timon Wellenreuther.

Alonso happy

Bayer 04's coach looks pretty content down on the bench. His side have had 64 per cent possession here so far.

© IMAGO/Box to Box Pictures/Tom Bode

23'

Frimpong flying

Boniface frees Frimpong, who speeds inwards towards goal. Hancko slides in and down goes the Leverkusen man. Nothing doing, says the ref.

Second-youngest

Wirtz is Leverkusen's second-youngest debutant goalscorer in the Champions League after Marko Babić, UEFA informs us.

© IMAGO/Feyenoord Rotterdam v Bayer 04 Leverkusen

18'

Ambitious effort

Paixão slams a shot from way out high and wide of the target. The Feyenoord man holds his hand up to the crowd. He had no business shooting from there.

14'

Home chance

In-Beom Hwang makes some space for himself and swipes a shot at the target which Hrádecký saves easily enough.

8'

Feyenoord denied

Zerrouki thinks he's made up for his earlier mistake by converting from close range. The home fans inside De Kuip erupt, but the flag is up on the far side. Offside.

6'

Wirtz wizardry

Leverkusen's No.10 was the UEFA Europa League young player of the season for the previous two campaigns. Here he is now at European club football's top table turning on the style.

5'

Leverkusen lead!

What a start for the Bundesliga champions. Ramiz Zerrouki gives up possession very cheaply and Andrich pounces, feeding Wirtz, who still has work to do. The 2023/24 Bundesliga player of the season takes a couple of touches and lets fly towards the near post. The ball fizzes in and Bayer 04 lead.

5'

Florian Wirtz

GOAL!

0:1

2'

Frisky Frimpong

Back in the starting line-up tonight, Frimpong is running at the Feyenoord defence straight from the off.

1'

Game on!

Feyenoord get the game underway ...

Anthem time

Both teams are out on the pitch and it's time for the Champions League anthem ...

Teams in tunnel

Both sets of players are gathering in the tunnel at De Kuip ... not long now.

Perfect for football

We've had a fantastic day weather wise in Rotterdam, with temperatures of 22 degrees celsius and clear skies. The pitch is looking immaculate as we tick down towards kick-off in this league phase game.

© IMAGO/Dennis Ewert/RHR-FOTO

More on those teams

Bayer 04 coach Xabi Alonso makes just one change to the side that won 4-1 in Hoffenheim at the weekend, with Jeremie Frimpong replacing Nathan Tella, who drops to the bench. Feyenoord, meanwhile, are showing four changes to the team that drew 2-2 against Groningen. Gernot Trauner, Ramiz Zerrouki, Antoni Milambo and In-Beom Hwang are all in from the get-go.

© DFL/Getty Images/Alexander Scheuber

Leverkusen starting XI

Hrádecký (c) - Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapié - Frimpong, Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo - Terrier, Wirtz - Boniface

Leverkusen subs

Kovář, Lomb, Hofmann, Arthur, Schick, Tella, Adli, Mukiele, García, Palacios, Belocian

Feyenoord starting XI

Wellenreuther - Lotomba, Beelen, Trauner, Hancko - Hwang, Milambo, Zerrouki, Timber (c) - Milambo, Giménez, Paixão

Feyenoord subs

Bijlow, Berger, Smal, Ueda, Gonzalez, Ivanušec, Carranza, Mitchell, Hadj Moussa, Zechiel, Nadje, Osman

4:04

Watch: Boniface under analysis

We've been putting one of Leverkusen's biggest threats under the tactical microscope ahead of their trip to Rotterdam...

Feyenoord probable XI

Wellenreuther - Nieuwkoop, Beelen (c), Hancko, Smal - Milambo, Zerrouki, Timber - Ivanušec, Giménez, Paixão 

Leverkusen probable XI

Hrádecký (c) - Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapié - Frimpong, Xhaka, Garcia, Grimaldo - Hofmann, Wirtz - Boniface

Alonso: "All teams start on zero"

The Leverkusen coach continued: "All teams start with zero points. Last season a dream came true for us, but we don't want to look back any more. Our aim now is to prove ourselves again."

© IMAGO/Frank Hoermann/SVEN SIMON

Alonso excited for UCL adventure

Alonso was also speaking to media yesterday and the Spaniard is clearly looking forward to making his UCL debut as a coach, saying: "Everyone wants to play in the Champions League at some point. It's the biggest stage, so we're happy to be back on it. We have a challenging but exciting season ahead of us and are really looking forward to it."

© Alex Grimm

Frimpong on Feyenoord

Back in his homeland, Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong has clearly been waiting for this fixture for a while. "I watched Feyenoord a lot in the Europa League last season because we could've come up against them at any point and we wanted to be ready... Some of my teammates from the national team also play here. We have great respect for them."

© IMAGO/Norbert SCHMIDT

Gameday!

Wins for Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund mean it's two from three for Bundesliga clubs in the Champions League this week, with VfB Stuttgart's defeat to champions Real Madrid the outlier. It's over to Leverkusen and Leipzig tonight, with the German champions in Rotterdam to take on Feyenoord. Kick-off is at 9pm CEST and, in the meantime, we'll have all the build-up, starting with some pre-match quotes...

1:09

Watch: Alonso and Bayer back in the UCL

Alonso won the Champions League twice as a player - how will he fare in the competition as head coach of defending Bundesliga champions Leverkusen?

Watch: Leverkusen U.S trophy tour

It was quite the campaign for Leverkusen last term as they won the Bundesliga and the DFB Cup. This week, the trophies have been on tour in the USA...

Feyenoord team news

Brian Priske, meanwhile, will be without Calvin Stengs, while Quilindschy Hartman is a doubt to a knee problem. Santiago Giménez, the Eredivisie's top goalscorer from 2023/24, is available and is expected to lead the line.

© IMAGO/Box to Box Pictures/Yannick Verhoeven

Leverkusen team news

Alonso has nothing to worry about when it comes to team selection, at least in terms of injuries. He has a full squad to choose from, so will still have decisions to make, but expect the likes of Champions League debutant Florian Wirtz, Granit Xhaka and Victor Boniface to all feature.

© IMAGO/Silas Schueller/DeFodi Images

New ground for Alonso

While he made 119 appearances in this competition as a player, Leverkusen coach Alonso is making his Champions League bow in the dugout. He will be eager, therefore, to kick off with all three points.

© IMAGO/imageBROKER/Michael Weber

2:03

Watch: Hoffenheim 1-4 Leverkusen - highlights

The German champions picked up their second win of the season thanks in large part to Victor Boniface's double - their Dutch opponents, meanwhile, have won just one of their opening four league games.

It's been a while

Leverkusen have not faced a Dutch side since the 1994/95 UEFA Cup third round when they defeated PSV Eindhoven 5-4 in a first-leg thriller at home. The second leg was goalless.

How do the new European competition formats work?

The UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Conference League have all undergone a revamp for the 2024/25 season. There are more teams, more games and a new ‘Swiss’-style format. Check out the article on bundesliga.com to find out how it’s all going to work.

© IMAGO/Bayer 04 Leverkusen v RB Leizig

Tournament goals

Xabi Alonso's side are getting ready to compete in what will be the club's 15th time in the Champions League proper. The Bundesliga winners will be hoping to successfully navigate the League phase in order to reach the tournament's knockouts for the first time since 2016/17.

© IMAGO/Laci Perenyi

Feyenoord memories

On their way to winning the 1987 UEFA Cup, Leverkusen knocked Feyenoord out of the competition in the third round by 3-2 on aggregate. That was the last and only time the teams' paths crossed in UEFA competition.

© via www.imago-images.de

... and a European final

Aside from winning the Bundesliga and DFB Cup last term, Leverkusen also went all the way to the UEFA Europa League final, where they lost out to Atalanta in the Dublin showpiece.

© OLI SCARFF

3:00

Entertainers supreme

In an unbelievable 2023/24 unbeaten domestic season, Bayer 04 were crowned Bundesliga champions for the very first time, which propelled the Meisterschale winners into a newly formed Champions League opening phase.

12:00

Here we go!

So, then, it's time for the Bundesliga, DFB Cup and Supercup champions to get their UEFA Champions League campaign underway! Xabi Alonso's men are all set to tackle Feyenoord, which means its time to learn all their is to know about the Werkself!

Welcome!

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

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