Why everything has gone so wrong for Leverkusen this season

Bayer Leverkusen were terrible against Hertha Berlin. In what should have been a welcomed fixture to get his side back in form, Gerardo Seoane’s team were instead extremely fortunate to leave the capital with even a point. The hosts missed multiple chances to claim all three, as well as a late penalty claim going against them through VAR. And yet, the Werkself remain relatively calm for now. 

After the game, midfielder Kerem Demirbay was on hand to underline that heads had not yet gone, despite Leverkusen sitting second bottom only to hapless and now coach-less Bochum. "We're in deep trouble," the midfielder admitted, despite scoring a tremendous free-kick in the match. "But we'll get out of it."  

Indeed, while Demirbay’s remarks may have seemed like wishful thinking, it does seem to be the prevailing mood at Leverkusen at the moment. Despite four defeats, one draw and just one win from their opening six games, I’ve been told by sources at the club that Seoane’s job is not yet at risk. And, in turn, the club’s poor start to the season is down to other factors. Despite some clear frustration at how things are going.