Bayer 04 Leverkusen lost their friendly at Real Sociedad San Sebastian immediately after their training camp in Austria. Center forward Victor Boniface made his debut in a Bayer jersey when it was 0-1. The most conspicuous player, however, was the young winter salesman Gustavo Puerta, who, however, was responsible for the Basques’ winning goal.
He knew how to please: Bayer midfielder Gustavo Puerta. IMAGO/Pressinphoto
In the Real Arena in San Sebastian, Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso gave winter signing Gustavo Puerta, who turned 20 six days ago, a chance in the starting XI as a reward for good preparation so far and ordered the Colombian U-20 international to play alongside summer Purchasing Granit Xhaka on the double six.
And the midfielder, who has a strong forward drive and was loaned to 1. FC Nürnberg for the first half of 2023, delivered a convincing performance over long stretches of his 45-minute mission. The right-footed acted fearlessly, showed himself, showed overview and tested Real Sociedad keeper Alex Remiro after winning the ball in pressing with a shot from 23 meters.
However, the right foot was the inspiration for the Basques’ 1-0 lead: After a cross into the Leverkusen penalty area, Puerta wanted to solve the situation in a playful way and involuntarily hung up for goal scorer Brais Mendez. Despite this faux pas, it is surprising that Puerta, who had already scored points at the Leverkusen training camp in Saalfelden, Austria, did not make a single appearance last season with the relegation-prone Middle Franconia in the 2nd division and was only included once in the matchday squad.
Debutant Boniface
Against the Spanish Champions League participants, who relied on short passing and possession football, the Werkself often saw themselves in the role of reacting at the beginning. A role that Xabi Alonso’s team really liked, as it meant that they had their best chances with fast switching and as a result of high ball wins after good pressing, which was rehearsed in preparation.
Jeremie Frimpong scored a regular goal in the first minute, which he had started himself with a courageous attack. But after a cross from Jonas Hofmann and a high-quality lay-off from ten Florian Wirtz in a confined space, the referee team wrongly saw him offside. A decision that would never have stood up to VAR scrutiny.
Against the hosts, who changed a lot early on, Bayer, who played 4-2-3-1 like in the 2-1 draw against SC Paderborn, clearly had more of the game after the break, but lacked precision on the offensive. This also applied to debutant Victor Boniface, who after a high ball win from Xhaka (54th) destroyed a good chance with a bad first contact.
Has made his first appearance for the Werkself – and is doing well: striker Victor Boniface. Getty Images
All in all, the Nigerian, who arrived from Union Saint-Gilloise a week ago, made his first appearance well. The beefy centre-forward integrated well into the combination game, but was already unlucky before the break. When he scored a header (15′) after a fine cross from Puerta, he was clearly offside. After a brilliant through ball from central defender Edmond Tapsoba, his shot went well over the box of the Basques around former Dortmund player Mikel Merino from about 20 meters.
The Werkself, with the planned key players Wirtz, Xhaka and left-back Alejandro Grimaldo playing relatively little this time, gave little defensively overall, but lacked determination and accuracy against the more efficient Basque players in the opposing penalty area.
Xabi Alonsos Simulationswoche
The game against Real Sociedad, which was played in favor of the Fundacion Columbus, which is dedicated to the fight against spastic paralysis 50 (SPG50), among other things, is followed by the next endurance test at Olympique Marseille on Wednesday before it is against Conference League Seger on Saturday West Ham United leave. Three tests within eight days with which Xabi Alonso wants to simulate the upcoming English weeks from October.
2023-07-29 19:31:20
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