Kickers Offenbach 1 – 3 Bayer 04 Leverkusen

International Club Friendly – Summer Showdown
Date: 25 July 2026 | Venue: Bieberer Berg Stadion, Offenbach

Bayer 04 Leverkusen overcame a spirited Kickers Offenbach side 3‑1 in a thoroughly entertaining pre‑season friendly. The Bundesliga outfit’s quality proved decisive, though the hosts showed commendable resilience and even took the lead early on.

Match Overview

Offenbach stunned their higher‑profile opponents by scoring inside the first five minutes. Capitalising on a defensive mix‑up, they fired past the Leverkusen goalkeeper. However, Leverkusen quickly regrouped and equalised before the quarter‑hour mark. The visitors’ superior fitness and technical ability began to tell as they dominated possession and created numerous chances. A second goal just before halftime put them ahead, and they added a third early in the second half to secure the victory.

Key Moments

• 3’ Goal (1‑0): Offenbach’s striker intercepted a sloppy back‑pass and coolly rounded the goalkeeper to score.
• 12’ Goal (1‑1): Leverkusen responded with a swift attack; a cut‑back from the byline was swept into the net from close range.
• 44’ Goal (1‑2): A long‑range strike that took a deflection wrong‑footed the Offenbach keeper, giving Leverkusen the lead.
• 54’ Goal (1‑3): Leverkusen’s winger cut inside from the left and curled a beautiful shot into the far corner.

Tactical Analysis

Offenbach started with high energy and a direct approach, catching Leverkusen off guard. Once the visitors settled, their passing triangle in midfield overwhelmed Offenbach’s narrow shape. Leverkusen’s full‑backs pushed high, creating overloads that the hosts could not contain. Offenbach’s defending from set pieces also looked vulnerable.

Standout Performers

• Leverkusen’s No. 10: Dictated the tempo and provided two assists, showing exceptional vision.
• Offenbach’s Captain: Scored the early goal and led by example, though his defensive workload became too heavy as the match wore on.

Takeaways for the Season Ahead

Bayer Leverkusen will be pleased with their reaction after conceding first, a trait that will serve them well in Bundesliga fixtures. Offenbach, competing in the Regionalliga, can take encouragement from their bright start but must work on game management against stronger opponents. The match provided valuable competitive minutes for both squads.