Sabasports Match Preview
Champions League: Bayer Leverkusen vs PSV Eindhoven
Kickoff Time: 2025-10-02 03:00 (HKT)
Source: REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen
This season, Bayer Leverkusen underwent a restructuring, appointing former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag as head coach. Unfortunately, his performance with the team was unsatisfactory, and he was dismissed in early September. Kasper Hjulmand, former head coach of the Danish national team, was immediately appointed as his replacement. Since then, Leverkusen has entered a rebound phase, achieving an unbeaten record of two wins and two draws in their last four matches. In recent games, summer signings Malik Tillman and Ernest Poku have scored in the league, while defender Jarell Quansah has maintained a full attendance record. The new signings have already integrated into the team’s tactical system. Among them, Tillman facing his former club is the biggest highlight of this match. Over the past two seasons, Tillman recorded 21 goals and 12 assists in the Eredivisie, making him the offensive core of PSV Eindhoven. His familiarity with PSV’s attacking strategies will likely provide Hjulmand with valuable insights. The return of goalkeeper Matej Kovar is the second highlight of this match. As Leverkusen’s third-choice goalkeeper, Kovar was loaned to PSV this season and has maintained a full attendance record. However, his defensive habits are well-known to Leverkusen’s players.
This summer, PSV Eindhoven overhauled their entire forward line. Key players who left include Tillman (12 goals, two assists in the league), Noa Lang (11 goals, 10 assists), Johan Bakayoko (nine goals, one assist), and Luuk de Jong (14 goals, eight assists). The only somewhat recognizable forward in the squad is 36-year-old Ivan Perisic, but his goal drought has extended to seven games. Highly-touted Romanian winger Dennis Man has failed to replicate his national team form and has yet to score since joining the club. Meanwhile, striker Alassane Plea, who scored 11 goals and provided four assists in the Bundesliga last season, is currently on the injury list. Compared to last season, PSV’s attacking prowess has significantly declined. With the offense unable to apply pressure on opponents, the team’s defense has become increasingly vulnerable. In their last six matches, PSV has conceded goals in every game. In the previous Champions League round, they suffered a shocking home defeat to Belgian club Union SG, whose total squad value is only €75.65 million. In the latest league match, against SBV Elite, a team with a squad value of just €15.6 million, PSV made as many as eight mistakes. This clearly indicates that the team is not in optimal form.
Both teams underwent restructuring this summer. Leverkusen has returned to form after changing coaches and is currently on an upward trajectory, while PSV’s performance continues to struggle. Given Leverkusen’s familiarity with Tillman and Kovar, they have every reason to secure a victory in this encounter.
Bayer Leverkusen‘s Last 5 Games: WDDWD
25-09-27 St. Pauli 1-2 Bayer Leverkusen
25-09-21 Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Borussia Monchengladbach
25-09-19 FC Copenhagen 2-2 Bayer Leverkusen
25-09-13 Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 Eintracht Frankfurt
25-08-30 Werder Bremen 3-3 Bayer Leverkusen
PSV Eindhoven‘s Last 5 Games: WDLWL
25-09-28 Excelsior 1-2 PSV Eindhoven
25-09-21 PSV Eindhoven 2-2 Ajax
25-09-17 PSV Eindhoven 1-3 Union St.Gilloise
25-09-14 NEC Nijmegen 3-5 PSV Eindhoven
25-08-31 PSV Eindhoven 0-2 Telstar
Head-To-Head Record
None
Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen to win