Match Centre

Bayer Leverkusen's 2–0 victory over Celje was largely deserved on the balance of play, though the scoreline flatters the hosts marginally. Leverkusen's expected goals of 1.93 versus their two actual goals suggests clinical finishing, but the opening goal—a 15th-minute own goal by Svit Šešlar—obscured what was otherwise a dominant but not devastating performance. The second, a Facundo Medina finish in the 74th minute assisted by Aleix García, arrived when the game was already decided.

Possession told the story of control: Leverkusen held 56% and converted that into 17 total shots (8 on target), with 11 efforts from inside the box. Celje, defending deep with 44% possession, managed only 5 shots total (3 on target) and generated just 0.90 xG—a team absorbing pressure rather than threatening on the counter. Leverkusen's 88% pass accuracy (546 of 619 passes) demonstrated composed buildup play; Celje matched that accuracy rate (441 of 500) but lacked the volume to create sustained attacking sequences. The differential in corner kicks (6 to 2) further underscored Leverkusen's territorial supremacy.

Celje's goalkeeper made 7 saves to Leverkusen's 3, indicating the hosts' shot volume and positioning rather than heightened danger. The substitutions—three for Leverkusen at the 60-minute mark and multiple changes thereafter—reflected fixture management. The single statistic that best captures the outcome: Leverkusen registered 12 more shots than their visitors, converting at a rate their underlying metrics supported.