Carles Martínez seeks a vital response at the BayArena as Moussa Diaby returns to lead a rebuilt squad against a resilient Union Berlin side.
Bayer Leverkusen return to the BayArena on Saturday, looking for their first Bundesliga win of the season and a response to one of the most disappointing opening days in recent club history.
Carles Martínez could hardly have imagined a more difficult introduction to Bundesliga football. Leverkusen travelled to newly promoted Elversberg expecting to begin the new campaign with three points, only to find themselves three goals behind against a side playing its first-ever Bundesliga match.
Patrik Schick and Christian Kofane gave Die Werkself hope with late goals, but the comeback never arrived. A 3-2 defeat left Martínez with plenty to reflect on and, more importantly, exposed some of the problems that can emerge when a squad undergoes such significant change in the summer.
Union Berlin now provide the first opportunity to put things right.
The BayArena should offer a very different environment from the one Leverkusen encountered in Elversberg, and Martínez will be looking for a more controlled performance from a side expected to compete near the top end of the Bundesliga. The pressure is not yet significant, but another disappointing result would quickly increase the scrutiny surrounding a team that has been extensively rebuilt.
Leverkusen have invested heavily during the transfer window, bringing in players across several positions while reshaping the squad around their new coach. The arrival of Moussa Diaby has added even more excitement, with the French winger returning to the club where he established himself as one of the Bundesliga's most dangerous attackers.
Diaby could make his second Leverkusen debut against Union.
The 27-year-old spent two seasons in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ittihad after leaving Europe, but has returned with the stated ambition of experiencing European football again and competing for trophies. His previous spell in Leverkusen produced 49 goals and 50 assists in 172 competitive appearances, meaning expectations will be high from the moment he steps onto the pitch.
Diaby is ready and could be included in the starting XI, while Robert Andrich is also an option after missing the opening game. However, new signing Guéla Doué will have to wait for his Bundesliga debut after being ruled out of the Union Berlin clash.
On the other side, Union Berlin arrive at the BayArena with more confidence than their hosts. The capital club opened their campaign with an entertaining 3-3 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt, rescuing a point through Tim Skarke's late equaliser after a dramatic contest.
There is more positive news for the visitors, with Frederik Rønnow recovered from injury and back in contention for the starting goalkeeper role.
But the historical record gives Leverkusen a reason for optimism.
The capital club has never won a Bundesliga match away at the BayArena since their promotion to the top flight.
That statistic, however, will mean little to Martínez.
For the Spaniard, Saturday is about establishing an identity. The defeat at Elversberg showed how quickly Leverkusen can be punished when their structure breaks down. Against Union, the expectation will be for greater control, more intensity, and a performance that reflects the quality of the squad assembled during the summer.
Most importantly, Leverkusen need the result.
The opening-day defeat was a warning, not a verdict on Martínez's tenure. But after a summer of major investment and a dramatic squad rebuild, the BayArena is waiting to see the first signs that the new-look Leverkusen can become more than the sum of its parts.
A victory over Union would be the simplest way to start answering that question.
