Bayer Leverkusen steadied themselves with a commanding 4-0 home win over Union Berlin on September 5, a result that eased some of the pressure following their shocking 2-3 opening-day defeat to promoted Elversberg. That early stumble set an anxious tone for Carles Martinez's first Bundesliga campaign, and the Spanish coach needed a response. He got one at the BayArena, lifting Leverkusen to fifth in the table with three points from two games.

The win arrives against a backdrop of genuine squad turbulence. Martinez has overseen a significant summer rebuild, with Piero Hincapie and Alejandro Grimaldo both departing and replacements arriving in Afonso Moreira, Miguel Gutierrez, and Facundo Medina. Toni Kroos publicly called it a "strange transfer window," questioning the logic of stripping Robert Andrich of the captaincy while simultaneously selling Exequiel Palacios, another central midfielder. Andrich remains frozen out, with Martinez stating bluntly that he is not speaking with the player, and RB Leipzig have been linked with a move. Meanwhile, Jonas Hofmann, excluded from the Europa League squad, is reportedly attracting interest from Saudi club Al-Shabab ahead of that market's October 12 deadline.

On a more positive note, Leverkusen rejected a reported 45 million euro bid from Brighton for Malik Tillman, signalling belief in his potential under Martinez. The 24-year-old started the opening Bundesliga fixture and is seen as a key figure going forward. A trip to Augsburg on September 12 comes next, against a side that won both league meetings last season.