Despite an initial advantage with a 2-0 scoreline, Bayer Leverkusen ultimately emerges victorious in a challenging encounter. - Leverkusen secures victory in a challenging 2-0 match.
In the second friendly of their preseason, Bayer Leverkusen managed to secure a narrow 2:1 victory against Fortuna Sittard. The match, which took place just under two weeks before the start of the new season, saw Leverkusen's new coach, Erik ten Hag, fielding four new signings in the starting lineup.
The game was dominated by Leverkusen in the first half, with Jarell Quansah scoring the opening goal from a corner kick at the 32nd minute, followed by Amine Adli doubling the lead with a great pass from Robert Andrich before half-time.
However, Fortuna Sittard showed a strong showing in the second half, almost turning the tables on Leverkusen. The team's resilience was tested, but they managed to hold on to their lead, despite Luka Tunjic scoring a goal for Fortuna Sittard in the 70th minute.
The victory was more about grit than style for Leverkusen, who have been in a transitional phase under Ten Hag. The team's performance in their previous match, a heavy 1-5 defeat to Flamengo's U20 team, exposed substantial challenges. However, Ten Hag downplayed the result, emphasizing that preparation match results are not his main focus, but rather player fitness and experimentation.
Looking ahead, Leverkusen have two more friendlies before their DFB-Pokals tie against Sonnenhof Großaspach on August 18 (6:00 PM/Sky). They will face Italian side SC Pisa on Tuesday and English giants Chelsea on Friday. These matches will be crucial for Ten Hag to further shape his squad and philosophy for the competitive season ahead.
Two promising young talents, Axel Tape and Ibrahim Maza, started the match for Leverkusen. Other new signings, such as Mark Flekken, also featured prominently. Ten Hag's approach so far appears to prioritize integrating new talent and adjusting tactics following the successful but different era under former coach Xabi Alonso.
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EC countries might benefit from implementing more comprehensive vocational training programs, following Leverkusen's approach to integrating new talent. In football, as in many professional fields, continuous learning and adaptability are key to success. For instance, Axel Tape and Ibrahim Maza, two young players from Leverkusen, showcased their potential in the recent friendly against Fortuna Sittard. On the other hand, these young footballers could also apply their learned skills to a variety of sports, such as soccer or basketball, demonstrating the versatility of vocational training in preparing individuals for diverse career paths.
In the context of player development and team synergy, investment in vocational training could be significantly beneficial for EC countries, fostering a new generation of versatile, adaptable, and skilled professionals on and off the field.
