Bayer Leverkusen started their UEFA Cup campaign in the expected manner with a hard fought one-nil victory over French Ligue 1 side Toulouse. The Germans looked the stronger side in the first half by some distance, Gekas volleying over from close range. Leverkusen did find a lead when Kiessling rattled the ball home before hitting the crossbar. The second half was more encouraging from a French perspective as they controlled much of the match but could not find a breakthrough and head back to the south-west corner of the county empty handed.

Bayer started the match in the expected 4-2-3-1 formation with several important players such as German internationalist Bernd Schneider missing from their starting eleven. There was still plenty of quality in the first eleven, the captain Rolfes instrumental in their victory. Toulouse also started in a 4-2-3-1 formation but without talisman Johan Elmander looked a side short on goal scoring know-how. Midfielders Mansaré and Emana did their best to support lone striker Gignac however their efforts were not enough.

As early as the seventh minute the hosts felt they had the lead, Rolfes heading into the net from close range however the goal was refused because of the linesman’s flag indicating an offside. Toulouse came close to open the scoring too however this was mainly due to the inability of Bayer goalkeeper Adler to hold a fizzing corner from Paulo César. The goalkeeper fumbled the ball towards the goal line but saved it as it seemed poised to cross. Leverkusen were largely dominating possession and it was little surprise when they scored. Kiessling’s goal was a lovely effort, a move sweeping right through the heart of Toulouse culminating in a lovely lobbed pass from Barbarez found the midfielder whose finish from a tight angle was emphatic. Things may have got better for the hosts just two minutes prior to the interval however Kiessling’s header rocked the crossbar. After a insipid start to the second half things soon got more entertaining although worryingly for the home fans most of the most threatening attacks were directed at their goal, Mansaré firing wide when really well placed. Téfécé were beginning to find their stride however Fabinho could not quite get the ball out from under his feet as the side from the Pink City carved a vast hole in the Leverkusen defence, his final shot lacking accuracy. Late in the game another Paulo César corner caused huge difficulties in the home defence, Bergougnoux forcing a tremendous save from Adler, whose efforts were enough to preserve his side’s lead for the entire ninety minutes.

Although this was the start Bayer would have expected to their UEFA Cup campaign it was not necessarily the performance; too often in the second half their defence and goalkeeper were needlessly exposed. Their dominance of possession in the first half and the well-worked nature of the goal made them just winners however. Toulouse can look forward to their next European match with a creditable showing, they face Sparta Praha in a fortnight.