Bayer Leverkusen bounced back from their opening-day defeat in emphatic fashion, cruising to a 4-0 victory over Union Berlin at the BayArena on Saturday in their first home game of the 2026/27 Bundesliga season.
The hosts came into the encounter looking to respond after suffering a surprise 3-2 defeat to newly promoted Elversberg in their league opener.
They wasted little time making their intentions clear against Union, taking control from the opening minutes.
Ezequiel Fernández opened the scoring early after receiving the ball from Malik Tillman before firing a low effort beyond Union goalkeeper Frederik Rønnow.
Leverkusen continued to dominate and came close to adding a second on several occasions. Ibrahim Maza forced a strong save from Rønnow, while Patrik Schick also threatened as the hosts maintained sustained pressure.
Their pressure eventually paid off in the 27th minute when Facundo Medina rose highest to meet Miguel Gutiérrez’s cross and headed the ball into the net to give Leverkusen a 2-0 advantage.
Union struggled to cope with Leverkusen’s attacking intensity, managing only one shot in the opening half as the home side went into the break firmly in control.
The visitors’ hopes of a comeback disappeared shortly after the restart.
Jarell Quansah delivered a low ball across the penalty area after being played through by Edmond Tapsoba, allowing Schick to tap home Leverkusen’s third goal.
Maza then put the result beyond doubt in the 65th minute, producing a superb curling finish that flew beyond Rønnow and into the top corner.
Leverkusen controlled the remainder of the match comfortably, moving the ball around confidently while limiting Union to very few opportunities.
At the final whistle, the hosts had completed a comprehensive 4-0 victory, recording 21 shots to Union’s five and keeping the visitors without a single effort on target.
The result gives new coach Carles Martínez Novell his first Bundesliga win and provides Leverkusen with a much-needed boost after their disappointing opening-day loss.
Union Berlin will look to recover when they host Schalke 04 in their next league fixture, while Leverkusen travel to Augsburg next Saturday.
