Bayer Leverkusen's season has started with more turbulence than their fans expected. A shocking 2-3 home defeat to promoted Elversberg on the opening Bundesliga weekend set the tone for a difficult beginning under new head coach Carles Martinez, who replaced the club's title-winning setup with a back four and a significantly reshaped squad. The departure of Piero Hincapie and Alejandro Grimaldo, combined with the public sidelining of former captain Robert Andrich, drew sharp criticism from former player Toni Kroos, who called it a "strange transfer window" and questioned whether the club had a coherent plan.

Leverkusen steadied themselves with a commanding 4-0 victory over Union Berlin on 5 September, a result that offers some relief but does not erase the broader concerns. The squad remains unsettled. Andrich has been frozen out entirely by Martinez, with RB Leipzig linked as a possible destination. Jonas Hofmann has been left out of the Europa League squad and is reportedly attracting interest from Saudi side Al-Shabab. Midfielder Marc Casado of Barcelona has emerged as a transfer target, with Martinez's prior connection to the player seen as an advantage.

Sitting seventh in the Bundesliga with three points from two games, the Werkself travel to Augsburg on 12 September facing a side that won both league meetings between the clubs last season. Martinez needs results, and quickly.