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Erik ten Hag embarrassed in first Bayer Leverkusen match as Brazilian youth side run rampant
Things could not have gone much worse for Erik ten Hag in his first match in charge of Bayer Leverkusen – conceding five to Flamengo’s youth side. The former Manchester United manager began his tenure on the touchline as Leverkusen got their pre-season underway on Friday. Ten Hag and his side were embarrassed by a youth team in BrazilGetty But the German giants, who appointed Ten Hag as their replacement for Xabi Alonso, were left shocked by Flamengo’s Under-20s. After just 45 minutes, the Brazilian youth side had completely embarrassed the former Bundesliga champions. Flamengo’s U20s incredibly went in at half-time of their friendly 4-0 up at Estadio da Gavea in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. And Leverkusen ended up being whooped 5-1 by their young opponents, marking a woeful start for Ten Hag. His starting line-up wasn’t devoid of quality either, with Victor Boniface, Amine Adli and Jonas Hoffman regular starters. Summer signing from Brentford, Mark Flekken, was in goal too. The scoring was opened after only two minutes by Lorran before an own goal from Arthur doubled Flamengo U20s’ lead. Matheus Goncalves and Pedro Leao netted two more just before the break, to pile the misery on Leverkusen. Soon after half-time though, things managed to get even worse. Substitute Gusttavo Silva scored a fifth for Flamengo’s youth side, putting the German giants FIVE goals behind. Leverkusen’s starting side included some familiar faces but they were blown away in the first half against Flamengo’s U20sGetty The Brazilian side could hardly believe it themselves, celebrating wildly@TNTSportsBR / X They picked up an easy win against former Bundesliga champions@TNTSportsBR / X Ten Hag was then forced to act on the hour mark, although full rotation after 60 minutes was likely pre-planned. Granit Xhaka, who has been linked with Sunderland, Patrik Schick, Alejandro Grimaldo, Nathan Tella and Edmond Tapsoba came on. Robert Andrich, Exequiel Palacios and Lukas Hradecky were also introduced as Leverkusen’s main men looked to save the day. And they did make a difference, with them getting a goal back and keeping Flamengo U20s at bay, losing 5-1 in the end. Of course, this was Leverkusen’s first pre-season game after the summer break and there will have been some rusty legs. However, to lose to a youth team in such a manner will be very concerning for new boss Ten Hag. It appears Ten Hag has plenty of work to do this pre-seasonGetty Leverkusen’s next friendly comes on July 27 when they face VFL Bochum before they take on Dutch side Fortuna on August 1. The Bundesliga season then starts on August 22, with Ten Hag’s first league match coming against Hoffenheim. The ex- United manager will hope to see a marked improvement from his squad leading up to that after their embarrassment in Brazil. He could look to bring in some new signings, including a player he has signed twice at two different clubs in Antony. Ten Hag described the £82million winger as being ‘like a son’ to him and refused to rule out another reunion.
Things could not have gone much worse for Erik ten Hag in his first match in charge of Bayer Leverkusen – conceding five to Flamengo’s youth side.
The former Manchester United manager began his tenure on the touchline as Leverkusen got their pre-season underway on Friday.
But the German giants, who appointed Ten Hag as their replacement for Xabi Alonso, were left shocked by Flamengo’s Under-20s.
After just 45 minutes, the Brazilian youth side had completely embarrassed the former Bundesliga champions.
Flamengo’s U20s incredibly went in at half-time of their friendly 4-0 up at Estadio da Gavea in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
And Leverkusen ended up being whooped 5-1 by their young opponents, marking a woeful start for Ten Hag.
His starting line-up wasn’t devoid of quality either, with Victor Boniface, Amine Adli and Jonas Hoffman regular starters.
Summer signing from Brentford, Mark Flekken, was in goal too.
The scoring was opened after only two minutes by Lorran before an own goal from Arthur doubled Flamengo U20s’ lead.
Matheus Goncalves and Pedro Leao netted two more just before the break, to pile the misery on Leverkusen.
Soon after half-time though, things managed to get even worse.
Substitute Gusttavo Silva scored a fifth for Flamengo’s youth side, putting the German giants FIVE goals behind.
Ten Hag was then forced to act on the hour mark, although full rotation after 60 minutes was likely pre-planned.
Granit Xhaka, who has been linked with Sunderland, Patrik Schick, Alejandro Grimaldo, Nathan Tella and Edmond Tapsoba came on.
Robert Andrich, Exequiel Palacios and Lukas Hradecky were also introduced as Leverkusen’s main men looked to save the day.
And they did make a difference, with them getting a goal back and keeping Flamengo U20s at bay, losing 5-1 in the end.
Of course, this was Leverkusen’s first pre-season game after the summer break and there will have been some rusty legs.
However, to lose to a youth team in such a manner will be very concerning for new boss Ten Hag.
Leverkusen’s next friendly comes on July 27 when they face VFL Bochum before they take on Dutch side Fortuna on August 1.
The Bundesliga season then starts on August 22, with Ten Hag’s first league match coming against Hoffenheim.
The ex- United manager will hope to see a marked improvement from his squad leading up to that after their embarrassment in Brazil.
He could look to bring in some new signings, including a player he has signed twice at two different clubs in Antony.
Ten Hag described the £82million winger as being ‘like a son’ to him and refused to rule out another reunion.
