Bayer Leverkusen registered their first Bundesliga win of the season under new head coach Carles Martínez on Matchday 2. The team delivered a commanding performance to defeat Union Berlin at the BayArena, moving up the league standings as a result.
This victory lifts Leverkusen to seventh place in the current standings. They have three points from two matches, with one win and one loss. Their goal difference stands at a positive three, having scored six and conceded three so far this campaign.
Carles Martínez is off the mark in the Bundesliga. "Carles Martínez is off the mark in the Bundesliga as his Leverkusen side crushed Union at the BayArena," the coach stated afterwards. His team produced a cohesive display from the outset, controlling the match and securing a vital three points. This result provides a solid foundation for the season ahead.
The squad achieved this despite several key absences. The current injuries list includes Guéla Doué, Kennet Eichhorn, Montrell Culbreath, and Nathan Tella. The fact that the team could perform so convincingly without these players highlights the depth available to the manager.
The win gives Leverkusen three points and seventh place. With a goal difference of plus three, the team's offensive output has been strong. However, they trail the league leaders, FC Augsburg, by three points. An immediate opportunity to close that gap is just around the corner.
The next Bundesliga fixture is against the very team at the summit. Leverkusen travel to face FC Augsburg away on September 12, 2026. All upcoming matches are listed in the club's fixtures. This encounter will serve as an early test of Leverkusen's ambitions for this campaign.
For the challenges ahead, coach Martínez continues to be without several squad members. Aside from the confirmed absentees Doué, Eichhorn, Culbreath, and Tella, there are no further long-term injuries reported. The medical staff is working to return the players to fitness as soon as possible.
Exact return dates remain unclear. The current personnel situation will necessitate squad rotation in the coming weeks. Detailed performance data for all players is available on the club's stats page. The next competitive match is away at FC Augsburg on September 12.
