Analysis: How Leverkusen's difficult start sparked their Bundesliga surge

An analysis reveals how Bayer Leverkusen's difficult start under Carles Martínez provided a learning experience, paving the way for their current five-match winning streak and fourth place in the Bundesliga.

Bayer Leverkusen have transformed from a difficult season start into a team on the rise. An analysis of the reasons for this turnaround shows how the failed beginning under head coach Carles Martínez provided a key learning experience for the squad. The Werkself lost their first Bundesliga match of the season 2-3 to Elversberg. Since that defeat, Leverkusen have remained unbeaten in seven competitive matches, securing six wins and one draw. The team has won its last five games in a row and climbed from 12th to fourth place in the standings. They currently sit on 13 points, just one behind leaders Bayern Munich. This standing comes from a record of four wins, one draw and one loss from their first six matches.

What the data shows

The numbers underline the upswing. Leverkusen have the second-best finishing efficiency in the Bundesliga this season after SC Freiburg, converting an expected goal value of 12.4 into 16 actual goals. With 114 shots, the team has the second-most attempts in the league, and their five goals from crosses are a league-best. Additionally, they have delivered 84 open-play crosses into the box, more than any other side. The team has a goal difference of plus seven after six matchdays, having conceded nine times.

Patrik Schick has been central to this. The striker set a new club record by scoring in each of the first six matchdays. With six season goals, he is currently the team's top scorer and shares the lead in the Bundesliga scoring chart. Twenty-year-old Ibrahim Maza is also making a key contribution with four scorer points. In defence, Facundo Medina has established himself alongside captain Edmond Tapsoba, displacing Loic Badé to the bench. In four league matches, Leverkusen conceded only three goals, aside from a 4-3 outlier against Mainz.

The recent results show the flawless form: after the 2-2 draw with Augsburg came wins against Celje (2-0), RB Leipzig (2-0), Mainz (4-3), Lech Poznan (4-0) and, most recently on Sunday 18 October, a 2-1 home victory over SC Freiburg, where Patrik Schick scored the winner. The team aims to extend their positive run of five consecutive wins this Saturday, 25 October, in an away fixture against 1899 Hoffenheim, who currently sit 14th. Their current form provides the ideal foundation.