Bayer Leverkusen Faces Defensive Crisis Amid Consecutive Losses Threatening Season Goals

Bayer Leverkusen's defensive struggles have intensified into a full-blown crisis under coach Kasper Hjulmand following a 0:2 Champions League loss to Olympiakos Piräus. This defeat marks the third consecutive loss since the new year, including heavy Bundesliga setbacks to Stuttgart (1:4) and Hoffenheim (0:1). Leverkusen's shaky defense was starkly exposed as Olympiakos scored within the opening two minutes through Costinha after a defensive error by Badé and secured a second goal just before halftime by Mehdi Taremi.

Despite creating multiple scoring opportunities, Leverkusen could not capitalize, with Olympiakos goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis delivering a standout performance. High defensive vulnerabilities, especially early concessions, have been identified by Hjulmand as the team's critical weakness needing urgent remedy. The team also grappled with depth and quality issues, particularly in defense and on the flanks, raising doubts about the squad's ability to sustain competitiveness across Bundesliga and Champions League demands.

The January 28 home match against Villarreal now becomes a must-win to keep Leverkusen's hopes alive for Champions League knockouts, as progression scenarios suggest around 11 points will be needed, a target yet unmet. Blaswich made his starting debut in goal due to an injury to Flekken but was unable to avert the loss, intensifying speculation around signing a new goalkeeper, with Stefan Ortega Moreno of Manchester City considered a potential recruit.

Hjulmand openly acknowledged the pressure on the team, describing a "sieg-zwang" (need to win) scenario for upcoming critical fixtures. The recent sequence is Leverkusen's worst start to a year since 2004, endangering their top-four Bundesliga aspirations and casting a shadow over their season trajectory.