LONDON – Despite Bayer Leverkusen’s elimination from the Champions League following a 2-0 second-leg defeat to Arsenal on Tuesday, goalkeeper Janis Blaswich emerged as a standout performer. The 34-year-old’s impressive display at the Emirates Stadium prevented a more lopsided scoreline, raising questions about the future goalkeeping hierarchy at the Bundesliga club.
“Arsenal were simply a different team than in the first leg – more aggressive and dangerous in attack,” Blaswich said after the match, drawing a comparison to the 1-1 draw in Leverkusen. “We also didn’t perform as well as we did in the first leg.”
Blaswich’s performance didn’t prevent Bayer Leverkusen’s European journey from ending after twelve games in the competition, but it certainly highlighted his capabilities. Manager Kasper Hjulmand acknowledged Blaswich’s strong showing, stating, “Janis played exceptionally well.” This performance, however, adds complexity to the situation with Mark Flekken, the club’s established No. 1, now back from injury.
The goalkeeping situation at Bayer Leverkusen is particularly sensitive as Flekken’s position is also tied to his international aspirations. A prolonged spell on the bench could jeopardize his chances of representing the Netherlands at upcoming international tournaments. Flekken sustained a knee injury on January 17, 2026, during a Bundesliga match against 1899 Hoffenheim, sidelining him and opening the door for Blaswich. Since then, Blaswich has made 17 appearances for Leverkusen, starting in 16 of those matches.
Mark Flekken has returned to training after a knee injury.
Goalkeeping Decision Expected Before Heidenheim Match
Hjulmand acknowledged the difficult decision ahead, stating, “We have a top goalkeeper in Mark who is ready again.” He added, “It will be a very difficult decision, but that is good for our team. Mark is ready, and we will make a decision in the next few days.” This suggests that Hjulmand intends to resolve the goalkeeping question before Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga away match against bottom-of-the-table Heidenheim on Saturday (15:30 local time/ 14:30 UTC).
Blaswich, understandably, deferred to the manager when asked about his future role. “I’m not the right person to answer that,” he said. “I just give my best. The coach has to decide what happens. I wish to help the team. It’s not about individual players now. It’s about us getting points as a team, and that’s the most important thing.”
The situation highlights a classic managerial dilemma: balancing rewarding loyalty to a returning starter with maintaining momentum for a player who has performed well in his absence. For Bayer Leverkusen, the decision isn’t just about the present. it could have ramifications for Flekken’s international career and the overall team dynamic.
Arsenal, meanwhile, advanced to the Champions League quarter-finals where they will face Sporting CP. Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice scored the goals that sealed the victory for the Premier League leaders, continuing their impressive form this season. Arsenal’s ninth win in ten games underscores their status as a serious contender in the competition. [1]
Janis Blaswich’s performance against Arsenal, while ultimately in a losing effort, has undoubtedly complicated matters for Kasper Hjulmand. The coming days will be crucial as the manager weighs his options and determines the best path forward for Bayer Leverkusen, both domestically and in the context of player development.
Bayer Leverkusen will look to rebound from their Champions League exit when they travel to Heidenheim this weekend. The match presents an opportunity to refocus on their Bundesliga campaign and solidify their position in the league table. The goalkeeping situation will be a key storyline to watch as the team prepares for the match.
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