Leverkusen take advantage of error-ridden Union Berlin performance

Kasper Hjulmand’s men faced 1.FC Union Berlin at the BayArena this afternoon in what was a game of attrition as the Köpenick club brought a physical edge to the occasion. However, Steffen Baumgart’s side also offered up an error-strewn performance which resulted in a 2-0 win for the hosts. 

Leverkusen shows signs of intent as early as the 13th-minute when a cross from the left met the head of Malik Tillman but Frederik Rønnow was right behind the effort to push it away to safety. Union had a decent chance of their own when Danilo Doekhi fired wide from a corner which was poorly defended. 

Shortly after the half-hour, the home fans burst into life as Leverkusen surged into a 1-0 lead. A misplaced pass from Diogo Leite enabled the counterattack. Ernest Poku started and finished the move as he fed Aleix Garcia centrally. The Spaniard found Lucas Vázquez in space on the right to cut it back for Poku to convert in style.

Union managed to apply some pressure towards the end of the first-half with a succession of corners. However, the break arrived on a rather solemn note as Alejandro Grimaldo accidentally clashed heads with Christian Kofane in the air. The Spaniard departed the field on a stretcher. 

The Berlin club was it’s own worst enemy once again in the second-half as they gifted the hosts a 2-0 advantage. Rønnow’s careless pass under no pressure fell straight to Christian Kofane. The youngster intercepted and required one touch before rolling it into an empty net to Hjulmand’s delight. 

Leverkusen could have extended their lead later into the half as Aleix Garcia thought he bagged a third goal for the Rhineland club. Unfortunately for the Spaniard, he strayed offside at the crucial moment just before Poku’s pass could be played to his feet. Regardless, Leverkusen cruised to a routine win on home soil.