Copenhagen 2-2 Bayer Leverkusen Player Ratings: Alejandro Grimaldo 8.5/10 Rated as Dramatic Late Goals in 2-2 Draw

No better way for any side to begin the new UCL campaign, though the ending was unexpected. This encounter was an absolute rollercoaster, ending in a 2-2 draw that felt like a win for one side and a loss for the other. Copenhagen will be kicking themselves. They were so close to a famous victory, not once, but twice. The game started perfectly for the home side with Jordan Larsson setting the tone with an early goal, and for a long while, it looked like it might be enough.

But Bayer Leverkusen showed incredible resilience. They hung in there, and the magic of Alejandro Grimaldo's free-kick was a sight to behold. The drama just didn't stop. When a substitute scores what you think is an 86th-minute winner, you expect to seal the points. The late, late own goal was a gut-punch for Copenhagen, a moment of sheer disbelief for the home fans. This match will be remembered for its chaotic and breathtaking finish. There were plenty of players who put up a good performance in FCK – Leverkusen. Here are the Copenhagen vs Bayer Leverkusen player ratings.

Copenhagen Player Ratings vs Bayer Leverkusen

Here are the Copenhagen player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Dominik Kotarski - 6.0: The FC Kobenhavn goalkeeper made a few crucial saves, particularly one to deny Patrik Schick in the second half. His distribution was a bit hit-and-miss, losing possession 13 times. He couldn't do much about the brilliant free-kick. But conceding two goals never feels great for a goalkeeper.

Defenders

Gabriel Pereira - 6.5: Pereira was tidy in possession and won all of his tackles, which is what you want to see. He made a couple of important interceptions and clearances. What stood out to us was his composure for most of the game.

Pantelis Hatzidiakos - 4.0: Oh, what a nightmare. You have to feel for him. He was already on a yellow card and seemed to be struggling with the pace of the game at times. But to score that heartbreaking own goal in stoppage time is just devastating.

Rodrigo Huescas - 7.5: One of the bright sparks for the home side. We were really impressed with his energy down the flank. He provided the assist for the second goal and was a constant creative outlet, making three key passes.

Marcos López - 6.0: López got a yellow card for a clumsy challenge and looked a little vulnerable at times. He was decent going forward and put in a couple of crosses but lost the ball a few too many times for my liking.

Midfielders

Jordan Larsson - 8.0: What a start he gave his team. A very well-taken goal to open the scoring and he was a constant threat until he was substituted. He was linking up play well, and his shot forced a good save in the second half.

Lukas Lerager - 7.0: A real engine in the midfield. He recovered the ball eight times and made some vital tackles, showing a great reading of the game. He kept the ball moving and was a steady presence in the middle of the park.

Thomas Delaney - 6.5: The captain led by example in the first half with his battling performance. He was strong in the tackle and drew a couple of fouls to relieve pressure. However, picking up a yellow card seemed to curtail his influence, and he was subbed off not long after.

Elias Achouri - 7.0: He provided a great assist for Larsson's goal, a moment of real quality. He was a livewire, always looking to take players on and deliver from wide areas. We felt he was a key part of København's attacking threat in the first hour.

Forwards

Youssoufa Moukoko - 5.5: Moukoko had a massive chance in the first half that he really should have buried. That miss seemed to affect his confidence. He worked hard but never really got into the game after that, and it wasn't a surprise when he was substituted.

Mohamed Elyounoussi - 7.5: He was unlucky not to score, hitting the woodwork with one effort. He looked dangerous every time he got on the ball, winning a lot of his duels and recovering possession high up the pitch. He was a thorn in Leverkusen's side all night.

Substitutes

Mads Emil Madsen - 6.0: Came on for the captain and did a decent job of keeping things ticking over without making a huge impact.

Viktor Claesson - 5.5: Replaced Moukoko but didn't offer much more of a goal threat.

Robert Silva - 7.5: The definition of a super sub! He came on and scored what should have been the winning goal with a fantastic header. A massive, instant impact. You can't ask for more than that.

Yoram Zague - N/A: Didn't have enough time to make a significant impact on the game.

Manager

J. Neestrup Hansen - 7.0: His game plan was almost perfect. His team was organized and took their chances well. The substitution of Robert Silva was a masterstroke that nearly won him the game. He can't be blamed for the cruel twist of fate at the very end. A tough result to swallow for him.

Bayer Leverkusen Player Ratings vs Copenhagen

Here are the Bayer Leverkusen player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Mark Flekken - 7.0: The Leverkusen shot-stopper was a busy man and made five saves, some of which were top-drawer. The one to deny Moukoko in the first half was particularly impressive. He couldn't do anything about the two goals he conceded, as one was a close-range finish and the other a powerful header.

Defenders

Jarell Quansah - 6.5: Quansah was very comfortable on the ball, completing 90% of his passes. He also made a few good recoveries. However, he was part of a defence that looked shaky and conceded twice.

Loïc Badé - 6.5: Did his job effectively before being taken off. He made a remarkable eight clearances, highlighting how much pressure the defence was under. Bade was a calming presence for the most part. It was a surprise to see him substituted, but perhaps it was a tactical switch to chase the game.

Edmond Tapsoba - 6.0: He saw a lot of the ball, making an incredible 121 passes. But defensively, he was not at his best. He was sometimes caught out of position and picked up a yellow card for a clumsy handball.

Midfielders

Ezequiel Fernández - 5.5: Fernandez struggled to impose himself on the match and was largely anonymous. It was no surprise to see him substituted early in the second half. He just couldn't get a foothold in the midfield battle.

Robert Andrich - 6.5: The German midfielder worked tirelessly in the middle, breaking up play and trying to start attacks. He was solid and reliable, but perhaps lacked that bit of quality to unlock the home defence.

Alejandro Grimaldo - 8.5: The clear Man of the Match for us in the Copenhagen vs Leverkusen game. His stunning free-kick to equalize was a moment of pure genius. Beyond the goal, he was Leverkusen's main creative force, creating five chances for his teammates. Everything good about the away side seemed to come through him.

Lucas Vázquez - 6.0: The former Real Madrid player worked incredibly hard and drew four fouls, showing his willingness to get into battles. But he also gave away three fouls and got a yellow card, looking a bit reckless.

Forwards

Malik Tillman - 5.0: Tillman was completely ineffective and offered next to nothing in attack. He lost possession 11 times in just 51 minutes and was rightly substituted early in the second half.

Patrik Schick - 6.5: He had a tough job leading the line, often isolated. But what stood out to us was his fight; he won eight duels and was a constant handful for the defenders. Schick had one good shot saved but was starved of real service for much of the game.

Eliesse Ben Seghir - 7.0: The Moroccan winger was very unlucky not to score, hitting the post with a great effort. He looked lively and dangerous whenever he got the ball. Seghir was always looking to make something happen and was a real threat before being substituted.

Substitutes

Ibrahim Maza - 6.0: Looked a bit more lively than the man he replaced but ultimately lacked a final product.

Aleix García - 6.5: His introduction helped Leverkusen gain more control in midfield as they pushed for the equaliser.

Ernest Poku - 6.0: Didn't have much of an impact after coming on.

Claudio Echeverri - 6.5: Showed some nice touches and had a shot saved in his brief cameo.

Christian Kofane - N/A: A late change with little time to influence the game.

Manager

K. Hjulmand - 7.0: His team showed tremendous character to come from behind twice. His substitutions in the second half helped to change the flow of the game and get his side back on the front foot. He'll be delighted to have snatched a point from the jaws of defeat. Good in-game management.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Alejandro Grimaldo