Rolfes critical of Leverkusen’s first-half display in Copenhagen draw

Simon Rolfes felt Bayer Leverkusen’s first-half display against FC Copenhagen left much to be desired.

PARKEN, COPENHAGEN (Bulinews): Bayer Leverkusen went into half-time trailing 1-0 in their Champions League opener against FC Copenhagen on Thursday, but ultimately came away with a point after a 2-2 draw.

Speaking in the mixed zone after the game, Bayer 04 managing director for sport Simon Rolfes criticised the team’s first-half display, but noted significant improvement after the break.

“We didn’t start well. We played a bit too slowly and our positioning was poor. We didn’t really get into the game, and Copenhagen were strong,” Rolfes told Bulinews.com. 

“The second half was better – there was more pressure, more drive going forward and more intensity, also thanks to the substitutions.”

After Leverkusen equalised to make it 1-1, Copenhagen quickly regained the lead, only for Die Werkself to hit back again and salvage a point.

“In the end, I think the team believed and gave everything to get the equaliser,” said Rolfes, who also stressed that taking all three points in Copenhagen is far from a given.

“Copenhagen are not easy to play against. They’re a good Danish side and well organised defensively. It’s not easy to create chances against them, the spaces don’t open up so easily,” he pointed out, describing the draw as “a point won”.