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Bayer Leverkusen lost 2-1 to Hoffenheim in Erik Ten Hag’s Bundesliga debut.
Erik Ten Hag. (X)
Bayer Leverkusen squandered a one-goal lead to lose 2-1 at home to Hoffenheim in Erik Ten Hag’s Bundesliga debut as coach on Saturday.
Taking over from Xabi Alonso in the summer and managing a significantly revamped team following several high-profile departures, the former Manchester United manager appeared frustrated on the sidelines.
Leverkusen took the lead after six minutes when Jarell Quansah, a summer arrival from Liverpool, headed in an Alex Grimaldo free kick.
Hoffenheim, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, equalised after 25 minutes, with Fisnik Asllani capitalising on a defensive error by Quansah.
Tim Lemperle put the visitors ahead after 52 minutes, as he was afforded too much time by Leverkusen’s defence and sent a low shot into the corner.
Leverkusen, having lost just three league games over the past two seasons, could not mount a comeback. The defeat highlighted the significant rebuilding task Ten Hag faces.
Eintracht Frankfurt demonstrated their scoring prowess despite the departure of striker Hugo Ekitike, thrashing Werder Bremen 4-1 at home, with Jean-Matteo Bahoya netting twice before half-time.
Now at Liverpool, Ekitike scored 15 goals and provided eight assists in the league last season. However, youngsters Bahoya, Can Uzun, and Ansgar Knauff all found the net in Frankfurt’s dominant win.
Bremen managed to pull one back through Justin Njinmah in the second half but rarely threatened the hosts.
German Cup holders Stuttgart were defeated by Union Berlin, who won 2-1 thanks to a first-half double from debutant Ilyas Ansah.
Returning to Berlin for the first time since their cup final victory in May, Stuttgart struck the woodwork twice and had a stoppage-time equaliser by Nick Woltemade ruled out for offside.
Elsewhere, Augsburg won 3-1 at Freiburg and Wolfsburg achieved the same scoreline at Heidenheim.
On Friday, defending champions Bayern Munich started their season with a bang, thrashing RB Leipzig 6-0 at home, with Harry Kane scoring a second-half hat-trick.
Later on Saturday, Borussia Dortmund begins their Bundesliga campaign away at St Pauli.
(With AFP Inputs)
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A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you live updates, breaking news, opinions and photos from the wide world of sport. Follow @News18Sports
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