Bayer Leverkusen began the new Bundesliga season with a 2–1 home defeat to Hoffenheim, spoiling the league debut of recently appointed coach Erik ten Hag. The hosts struck first when Jarell Qansah headed in after six minutes, but Hoffenheim levelled through Fisnik Asllani in the 25th minute and moved ahead seven minutes after the interval when Tim Lemperle drilled a low shot from long range. Leverkusen created little thereafter, and Nathan Tella’s late effort into the side netting was their best chance to rescue a point. Ten Hag, installed in June to succeed Xabi Alonso, inherits a side that won the domestic double in 2024 but lost several key players during the summer, including Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Jonathan Tah and Granit Xhaka. Saturday’s defeat underscores the scale of his rebuilding task as Leverkusen aim to challenge Bayern Munich, who opened the campaign by routing RB Leipzig 6–0 on Friday.