Bayer Leverkusen secured a narrow 2-1 victory against Fortuna Sittard in a pre-season friendly, but the performance was far from perfect. New coach Erik ten Hag is still working on integrating new signings and refining the team's overall play.
Quansah Impresses as Defensive Leader
One bright spot for Leverkusen was the performance of new signing Jarell Quansah. The young defender, acquired from Liverpool, demonstrated his leadership qualities in the heart of the defence. Quansah not only organised the backline effectively but also contributed offensively, scoring the opening goal with a well-placed header from a corner.
"I feel very comfortable in the role," Quansah told BILD after the match. His speed, awareness, and ability to read the game have quickly made him a valuable asset to the team. Some are even suggesting he could be the successor to Jonathan Tah.
Mixed Performance for Leverkusen
Despite Quansah's impressive debut, Leverkusen's overall performance was inconsistent. After a dominant first half, where they took a 2-0 lead thanks to Quansah's goal and another from Amine Adli, the team struggled to maintain control in the second half.
Fortuna Sittard capitalized on Leverkusen's mistakes, with Luka Tunjic scoring a stunning long-range goal to narrow the deficit. Leverkusen managed to hold on for the win, but the second-half performance highlighted areas that need improvement before the start of the season.
Ten Hag's Work in Progress
Erik ten Hag has a lot of work to do before Leverkusen's first competitive match in the DFB-Pokal against Sonnenhof Großaspach. While the team showed flashes of brilliance, consistency and defensive solidity will be crucial for a successful season. The integration of new players like Quansah, Mark Flekken, Axel Tape and Ibrahim Maza is key to Leverkusen's hopes of challenging for silverware this season.