Overview

• Shortly before halftime, Alejandro Grimaldo was struck in the head by Christian Kofane during an aerial duel, causing heavy bleeding above the eyebrow.
• Medical staff treated him on the pitch, a stretcher was requested, and he was carried off conscious but visibly dazed.
• Bayer director Thomas Eichin told Sky the defender was briefly unconscious and that the head wound would be stitched.
• Grimaldo later reassured reporters in the mixed zone that he was fine, calling it only a cut and leaving with a large bandage.
• Coach Kasper Hjulmand waited until halftime to substitute him, with the team saying the doctor ruled out a return despite the player wanting to continue; Leverkusen beat Union Berlin 2-0 with goals from Ernest Poku and Kofane.