Erik ten Hag’s debut in the Bundesliga didn’t go according to plan, as his new side Bayer Leverkusen suffered a surprising 2-1 home defeat to TSG Hoffenheim in the opening round of the 2025/26 season.

Dream Start Fizzles Out

It all began brightly for Leverkusen. In just the 6th minute, summer signing Jarell Quansah — brought in from Liverpool — made an immediate impact, heading home to give the hosts an early lead.

However, the optimism didn’t last. Kristjan Asllani equalised midway through the first half, and Hoffenheim completed the turnaround with a decisive goal from Grischa Lempereur in the second.

Early Pressure on Ten Hag

Despite controlling large spells of possession, Bayer failed to convert their dominance into goals - a concern that may already be on ten Hag’s radar as he looks to bring silverware back to the BayArena.

2025-26, Germany - Bundesliga

Bayer 04 - Hoffenheim 1:2 (1:1)
Goals: Quansah, 6 (1:0); Asllani F., 25 (1:1); Lemperle, 52 (1:2)

Bayer 04: Flekken; Hincapie; Quansah; Tapsoba E.; Arthur Soares (Poku E., 46); Grimaldo; Andrich; Tella (Kofane, 85); Aleix Garcia; Maza (Echeverri, 84); Schick
Bench: Blaswich; Lomb; Tape; Sarco

Hoffenheim: Baumann; Hranáč (Akpoguma, 75); Bernardo; Machida (Chaves Ar., 45); Coufal (Prömel, 88); Avdullahu; Burger (Tohumcu, 46); Lemperle (Prass, 75); Toure B-a; Asllani F.; Kramaric
Bench: Philipp L.; Damar M.; Mokwa; Moerstedt
Yellow Cards: Kramaric 37; Machida 42; Avdullahu 45; Tohumcu 84