Leverkusen blows a lead as Ten Hag loses opener
Erik ten Hag's first Bundesliga match with Bayer Leverkusen ended in defeat as Hoffenheim came from behind to win 2-1 at BayArena.
Fisnik Asllani starred for the visitors, levelling the scoreline after Jarell Quansah's opener and then assisting Tim Lemperle's winner to help Hoffenheim start its league campaign with a big triumph on the road.
Leverkusen got off to a quick start, with Quansah scoring six minutes into his Bundesliga debut after connecting with Alejandro Grimaldo's free-kick and heading past Oliver Baumann.
However, Quansah was caught cold at the other end when Asllani managed to evade him in the box before firing beyond Mark Flekken at the near post to equalise in the 25th minute.
Leverkusen's defending was called into question again when Hoffenheim took the lead seven minutes into the second half.
The hosts failed to deal with a long ball from Baumann and Asllani took full advantage, laying it off for Lemperle to strike into the bottom-left corner from the edge of the box.
Ten Hag's side pushed for an equaliser, with Nathan Tella going closest when he hit the side-netting in the 78th minute, but their efforts proved fruitless.
"Clearly, I am disappointed. It was a game of few chances and Hoffenheim were more effective," Ten Hag said after the game.
"We did not get into the final third of the pitch often enough. Twice we did not pay attention and we conceded a goal.
