Overview

• Bayer Leverkusen conceded four early goals and lost 5-1 to Flamengo’s U20 side on July 18 under new coach Erik ten Hag in Rio de Janeiro.
• Ten Hag downplayed the result as irrelevant for preseason and said he had planned to field a weakened team over the full 90 minutes.
• A lineup heavy on U19 and B-team players exposed defensive frailties and prompted criticism from media outlets and midfielder Robert Andrich.
• Goals by Lorran, Matheus Goncalves, Pedro Leao and Gusttavo put Flamengo in control before 17-year-old Montrell Culbreath scored a late consolation for Leverkusen.
• The Brazil camp continues through mid-July with a return match against VfL Bochum on July 27 serving as the next test ahead of DFB-Pokal and Bundesliga preparations.