Bayer Leverkusen's Aleix Garcia has apologised to fans for his side's "humiliating" 7-2 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain and admitted he was "really angry" about his ill-timed shirt swap with the 2025 Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele. The midfielder scored both of Leverkusen's goals in the rout, which coach Kasper Hjulmand called "painful".
Garcia apologises to 'incredible' fans
The loss marks the first defeat for new coach Hjulmand and leaves Leverkusen's European campaign in turmoil. The German side are 30th in the 36-team league phase, winless with just two points from three matches.
Despite netting a first-half penalty and a stunning long-range strike in the second half, Garcia was focused entirely on the team's collapse. He praised the home supporters who endured the defeat and pleaded for their continued backing.
"This hurts. I want to apologise to the fans. They were incredible," Garcia said. "It will be a tough night. The result is tough; we still have to improve a lot as a team. We have a lot of potential."
The Spaniard immediately turned his attention to the club's next fixture, adding: "We need them on Sunday to take another step forward."
AdvertisementAFPGarcia explains 'very special' Dembele shirt swap
Garcia was seen exchanging jerseys with PSG star Dembele after the final whistle, a move he acknowledged was awkward given the circumstances. He insisted the arrangement was made prior to kick-off, admitting he would not have requested it after such a heavy loss.
"Because I'm still really angry," Garcia said when asked about the swap. He assured that he had asked Dembele for the shirt before the match, stating: "After conceding seven goals, I might not have asked for it anymore."
Despite his anger at the result, Garcia hailed the French forward, who marked his 100th PSG appearance with a goal. "For me, he's the best. He plays right, left, inside, and outside. That's also why the jersey is 'something very special to me.'"
Sporting director Simon Rolfes, however, was less impressed, stating he was "pretty indifferent" to the exchange after the damaging result.
10-man Leverkusen capitulate in chaotic first half
The match descended into chaos after 33 minutes when Leverkusen captain Robert Andrich received a red card. While PSG were also reduced to 10 men when Illia Zabarnyi was sent off, the visitors capitalised on the instability.
PSG, who held 67 per cent possession and registered 22 shots, were ruthless. An early Willian Pacho own goal set the tone. Though Garcia equalised from the spot later one, Leverkusen conceded three goals in the final five minutes of the first-half as Desire Doue, scoring twice, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia effectively ended the contest before the break.
Nuno Mendes added a fifth five minutes after the restart before Garcia's second goal. Dembele, returning from a six-week injury, came off the bench to score in the 66th minute and and Vitinha completed the 7-2 rout with a late strike.
Hjulmand feels 'a lot of pain' after first defeat
The result was a brutal first setback for manager Hjulmand. The Dane, who took over the Werkself earlier in the season after Erik ten Hag's sacking, was visibly affected by the scale of the defeat.
"We're feeling a lot of pain right now. These are big numbers. We're hurt," Hjulmand said. "We have to shake it off and look forward."
Like his midfielder, Hjulmand also thanked the home support: "Our fans were incredible. I hope we can give them something back on Sunday."