Bayer Leverkusen Women kicked off their international friendly schedule with a narrow but encouraging 1-0 victory over Racing Genk Women at home on 1 August 2026. In a tightly contested pre-season fixture, the German Bundesliga side showed defensive discipline and enough attacking invention to edge out their Belgian visitors, giving head coach Roberto De Zerbi's counterpart a solid platform to build on ahead of the new campaign.

Match Overview

Playing in front of a warm early-August crowd, Leverkusen controlled large spells of possession but found Genk's organised low block difficult to break down in the opening half. The Belgian Women's Super League outfit arrived in Germany eager to test themselves against higher-ranked opposition, and their compact shape frustrated the hosts for much of the first 45 minutes.

Leverkusen's patience eventually paid off after the interval. With sharper pressing and quicker wide rotations, the home side began to stretch the Genk defence, and their persistence was rewarded with the only goal of the game. The clean sheet will be just as pleasing as the result, with the defensive unit looking composed under pressure.

Key Moments

• 0-0 at half-time: Genk's disciplined 4-4-2 prevented Leverkusen from creating clear-cut chances in the opening period.
• Second-half breakthrough: A well-worked move down the right flank ended with a clinical finish from inside the box to give Leverkusen the lead.
• Late resilience: Genk pushed for an equaliser in the final 15 minutes, but Leverkusen's backline held firm to secure the win.

Tactical Story

Leverkusen switched from a patient build-up in the first half to a more direct and aggressive approach after the break, which proved decisive. The introduction of fresh legs in attack gave them greater penetration, while their full-backs pushed higher to create overloads in wide areas. Genk, by contrast, grew deeper as the game wore on, and their exit passes became increasingly hurried under sustained pressure.

For the visitors, the match will provide useful lessons in game management against a possession-heavy opponent. They had spells of decent ball retention but struggled to translate that into meaningful chances against a well-drilled Leverkusen defence.

Standout Players

The match-winning moment came from one of Leverkusen's attacking substitutes, whose sharp movement and composed finish separated the two sides. At the other end, the home goalkeeper delivered a steady performance, claiming crosses confidently and distributing quickly to start counter-attacks.

For Genk, their captain in midfield was a constant presence, breaking up play and trying to set the tempo whenever the visitors had possession. The Belgian side will take encouragement from their defensive organisation but will know they need more creativity in the final third.

Season Impact and Next Steps

This friendly serves as an important step in Leverkusen's pre-season preparations. With league action on the horizon, the coaching staff will be pleased with the squad's fitness levels and their ability to adapt mid-game. The result also builds confidence among a group that is blending new signings with established performers.

For Racing Genk, the trip to Germany offered valuable international experience. The narrow defeat against a top-tier Bundesliga side highlights the areas they will need to refine, particularly in transition and attacking efficiency, as they continue their own build-up to the Belgian Women's Super League season.