Hofmann double sends Leverkusen past OFI Crete for third Europa League win

Jonas Hofmann scored both goals as Bayer Leverkusen beat OFI Crete 2-0 in Heraklion on Thursday, October 22, maintaining their winning start to the Europa League league phase. The visitors settled the scoring before half-time at the Pankritio Stadium and left Greece with nine points from their opening three matches.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_8X4LwtSng

The victory marked a successful return to the starting lineup for Hofmann. According to Sky Sport Germany's report, the 34-year-old was making his first start of the season after being added to Leverkusen's European squad on Tuesday following Martin Terrier's injury. He converted that opportunity into the two decisive first-half finishes.

OFI had threatened first, with Janis Blaswich saving from Thiago Nuss in the 11th minute. Leverkusen subsequently created chances through several players before Hofmann broke through from close range in the 35th minute. He quickly added a second with a shot from distance, giving the visitors a two-goal advantage to protect after the interval.

FotMob's match data recorded 63 percent possession and 33 attempts for Leverkusen, compared with six shots for OFI. Malik Tillman was credited with the assist for Hofmann's second goal. Leverkusen later introduced Ibrahim Maza in place of their goalscorer, while Nathan Tella and Miguel Gutierrez also came on during the second half. Neither side scored again.

The result extended a European run that began with a 2-0 home win against Celje and a 4-0 victory at Lech Poznan. Bundesliga.com's competition coverage noted that Patrik Schick scored twice in Poland, with Tillman and Maza also on target. OFI had opened their own campaign by defeating Hoffenheim 2-0, before losing 2-1 at Rennes despite taking the lead through Taxiarchis Fountas.

Leverkusen have now scored eight goals without conceding in the league phase and, according to Sky Sport Germany, lead the standings after their third victory. The win also extended their sequence of competitive victories to six. Hofmann had a chance to complete his hat-trick after the break, but his first-half contribution was enough to maintain the team's perfect European record.