Florian Wirtz was one of the men of the moment for Bayer Leverkusen last season and he’s continuing to deliver. Fresh from helping claim a first-ever Bundesliga title with 18 goals, the playmaker continued his hot streak in Thursday’s Champions League trip to Feyenoord. Wirtz opened the scoring inside five minutes with a sweeping finish from outside the penalty area before doubling his tally as the Werkself racked up a third later in the half. The Germany international’s star turn earned him a spot in the record books as his country’s only player to score two goals on his debut in Europe’s elite club competition.
It proved a sobering start to their Champions League campaign for Feyenoord, Dutch league runners-up last season but struggling to find form in this campaign since the departure of coach Arne Slot for Liverpool. Leverkusen thoroughly outplayed them in the first 45 minutes and then competently dealt with an attempted home comeback after the break.
Leverkusen, who became the first team to finish a Bundesliga season unbeaten as they romped to the title last campaign, were ahead in the opening five minutes as Wirtz took advantage of a defensive slip by Ramiz Zerrouki to open their account. Dutch international Jeremie Frimpong then set up the next two goals with his strong running down the right flank, carving up the home defence.
The first was for Grimaldo in the 30th minute with some help from a clever no-look pass by Victor Boniface and the next a precision cross to the back post to find Wirtz flying in to convert unchallenged in the 36th minute. Just when it seemed it could not get worse for the Dutch side, Leverkusen went four up on the stroke of halftime. A freekick found centre back Edmond Tapsoba at the back post as his header back into the danger zone struck Feyenoord keeper Timon Wellenreuther on the foot and it ricocheted slowly backwards over the line for an own goal.
“I was really looking forward to this game for the last few days already, and that’s how I approached the game too. I think, however, it was like that for everyone,” Wirtz said. “I didn’t count on finishing with two goals, but I had two chances and I just used them both. And then you can just build on that and I can just try to take my chances in every game.”
Feyenoord captain Quinten Timber had a good chance to pull one back 10 minutes into the second half but was denied by a strong save from Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky. “The way we lost is just sour. I don't think we played badly at all. But we gave away those goals far too easily,” Timber told reporters.
While the home side showed more spirit and energy in the second half, they rarely threatened to score, although a 74th minute effort from substitute Ayase Ueda was ruled out for offside. Leverkusen were close to a fifth goal as the match went into stoppage time, with Dávid Hancko clearing off the line from Aleix García.
Leverkusen are home to AC Milan in their next Champions League encounter on Oct. 1 while Feyenoord play in Spain at Girona the next day.
Information from Reuters contributed to this report.
