Erik ten Hag has reassured fans regarding the injuries of Bayer Leverkusen defenders Arthur and Axel Tape, following their friendly victory over Serie A’s Pisa. The match, which marked Ten Hag’s home debut as manager, concluded with a decisive 3-0 scoreline.
Leverkusen, aiming to bounce back from a heavy 5-1 defeat to Flamengo’s under-20 team, showcased a strong performance. Robert Andrich opened the scoring early in the fourth minute, capitalizing on an Alejandro Grimaldo free-kick, while Christian Kofane added a second after Grimaldo’s assist. Exequiel Palacios sealed the win with a volley just before halftime.
Despite the positive outcome, the match presented some challenges, notably with Edmond Tapsoba receiving a red card, allowing Pisa to become more competitive as they tested goalkeeper Mark Flekken numerous times. However, the team’s concerns grew when right-back Arthur exited the game in discomfort shortly after the half-hour mark, followed by Tape’s withdrawal in the 78th minute.
After the match, Ten Hag expressed optimism about the duo’s conditions, stating that they both wished to continue playing, which he interpreted as a positive sign. Bayer Leverkusen will face Chelsea next in their final friendly before kicking off their season in the DFB-Pokal against Sonnenhof Grossaspach.
This recent performance under Ten Hag indicates a potential shift in momentum for Bayer Leverkusen, setting a hopeful tone as they prepare for the upcoming competitive season.