Bayer Leverkusen suffered a 0-1 home defeat to Olympique Marseille in their fourth Europa League group stage match on Thursday. The decisive goal came in the 77th minute from Amine Gouiri, leaving Leverkusen winless in the competition and piling pressure on ahead of a domestic derby. In the Bundesliga, the club currently sits sixth with 13 points from eight games, with a record of four wins, one draw and three losses.
Coach Carles Martínez fielded a side with Mark Flekken in goal and a back four of Quansah, Tapsoba, Facundo Medina and Miguel Gutiérrez. Aleix García and Robert Andrich anchored the midfield, supporting an attacking trio of Lucas Vázquez, Ibrahim Maza and Jonas Hofmann behind striker Patrik Schick. Leverkusen dominated possession with 58 percent but struggled to create clear chances. Miguel Gutiérrez hit the post with a deflected effort just before halftime.
At the other end, Mark Flekken was alert early on, saving from Gouiri in the seventh minute. Marseille's compact defence frustrated the hosts. Martínez made a double change on 68 minutes, introducing Afonso Moreira and Equi Fernández for Vázquez and Andrich. The desired spark failed to materialise. Instead, Marseille capitalised on a midfield turnover from Aleix García to counter. Amine Gouiri fired home from distance for the only goal.
Matthäus slams poor display
Lothar Matthäus labelled the performance the weakest he had seen from Bayer Leverkusen in a long time. Former captain Robert Andrich criticised the team after the final whistle. "Not satisfactory," the 32-year-old said. The statistics highlighted the issues: from 10 shots, only two were on target, with an expected goals (xG) figure of 0.99. Marseille were more efficient with less of the ball (42%).
The loss marks a third consecutive defeat for Leverkusen at an inopportune moment. In the Bundesliga, the club is five points behind leaders Bayern Munich. Their recent form across the last five competitive matches shows two wins and three losses, having lost the last two. Those recent results were the 0-1 loss to Marseille on 5 November and a 2-4 home defeat to VfB Stuttgart on 31 October. Prior to that came a 5-2 win over 1. FC Nürnberg, a 3-0 loss at 1899 Hoffenheim, and a 2-0 victory against OFI. Top scorer Patrik Schick, who has seven goals this season, was kept quiet against Marseille. In the league, the team has scored 18 goals and conceded 16.
Attention now turns swiftly to domestic matters. On Sunday (15:30 local time), Leverkusen face a Rhine derby away to 1. FC Köln, who are currently 13th in the table. The task at the RheinEnergieStadion is to halt the negative league run and secure points before the international break.
On Friday, November 6, the club confirmed the starting lineup for the Europa League match against Marseille. Carles Martínez confirmed the lineup with Mark Flekken in goal, a back four of Quansah, Tapsoba, Facundo Medina and Miguel Gutiérrez, and a midfield of Aleix García and Robert Andrich. Lucas Vázquez, Ibrahim Maza and Jonas Hofmann supported Patrik Schick in attack. The team is sixth in the Bundesliga with 13 points from eight games.
Update, November 7, 2026 On Sunday, Carles Martínez confirmed an injury to Ibrahima Quansah. The defender suffered a cut near his eye in the match against Marseille. "He will miss the game against Köln," the manager said. The defeat was the second consecutive loss for Leverkusen, which sits sixth in the Bundesliga with 13 points.
Update, 6 November 2026 On Friday, Carles Martínez confirmed the strained personnel situation. Six players were missing injured against Marseille, including Guéla Doué, Nathan Tella and Martin Terrier. The manager said only five professional outfield players were on the substitute bench. Leverkusen has lost three of its last four competitive matches, including the 0-1 defeat to Marseille. The team is sixth in the Bundesliga with 13 points.
On Sunday, November 8th, Leverkusen faces 1. FC Köln away. Manager Carles Martínez criticized his team's mental and physical condition after the defeat to Marseille. "We didn't have enough energy on the pitch," Martínez said. Goalkeeper Mark Flekken confirmed the pressure: "After three games without points, there is pressure on us." Leverkusen is sixth in the Bundesliga with 13 points.
On Saturday, November 7th, coach Carles Martínez gave a positive injury update. Loïc Badé is available again after his concussion, the manager stated. Christian Kofane, who was out with a thigh injury, returned to team training. Martínez left it open whether Kofane will be available for Sunday's derby against 1. FC Köln. Nathan Tella remains out with muscular problems.
On Saturday, November 7, Robert Andrich publicly criticized his teammate Aleix García for his role in the 0:1 defeat to Marseille. "That has a bit to do with attitude," Andrich said in a TV interview. The club confirmed that García's lack of defensive effort is an internal topic. Coach Carles Martínez had called the situation "not the place to discuss it" after the match. Leverkusen, sixth with 13 points, plays away in Cologne on Sunday.
