Bayer Leverkusen’s Coach Discusses Team Performance and Young Talent

During the Bundesliga post-match press conference on Saturday, Bayer Leverkusen’s head coach Kasper Hjulmand addressed several inquiries regarding the performance of their German-American striker, Montrell Culbreath, both in English and German. Hjulmand found himself at the podium alone after the match, while his rival coach, Vincent Kompany, had already departed for Munich following complaints about officiating.

Hjulmand on the Team’s Recent Challenges

Leverkusen has displayed noticeable improvements recently, yet they continue to struggle in securing victories. Their latest match resulted in a 1-1 draw against Bayern Munich, marking the third consecutive game in which they have failed to win. Previous draws included matches against Freiburg and Arsenal.

Before clinching a narrow victory against Hamburger SV earlier in the month, Leverkusen had drawn with both Olympiacos and Mainz after suffering a loss to Union Berlin. Hjulmand, noticeably frustrated, animatedly expressed his thoughts during his opening remarks and the initial round of questions.

“We played well in one-on-one situations and limited our opponents’ opportunities,” Hjulmand stated, emphasizing an earlier goal scored by Jonas Hofmann that was ruled offside by mere centimeters. “As a coach, I can assert that we performed admirably. We defended effectively and played with intensity and composure. Our structure was intact, and we had a strong performance.”

Hjulmand continued, reflecting on their match against Arsenal. “We executed many things correctly, yet we struggled to find the back of the net. Such is the nature of football. In my view, maintaining structure is paramount. Get that right, and you can then infuse passion, power, and character into your play.”

He acknowledged areas for improvement, saying, “We’re focusing on enhancing our pressing, maintaining compactness, and refining our transition game. There has been progress in recent weeks, but at times we fail to exploit available spaces effectively. We create chances, but as demonstrated with the offside goal, we may need to exercise a little more patience in our transitions.”

Hjulmand Discusses Montrell Culbreath

Culbreath, who came up through the Kaiserslautern academy and was included in Hjulmand’s Champions League squad, has been gradually increasing his playing time in the Bundesliga. The 18-year-old, who scored a Bundesliga goal before the winter break, has participated in Leverkusen’s last three league matches, starting in two of them alongside fellow German-American Malik Tillmann in attack.

Hjulmand shared his insights about the young talent in detail.

“He has shown remarkable development over the last month,” Hjulmand noted in German. “He understands the fundamentals of the game. He remains engaged throughout and consistently reacts appropriately, making sound decisions. His training performances have been impressive. While primarily a playmaker, we’ve been working on his defensive skills. He delivered an excellent performance today, and we owe thanks to our academy coaches for nurturing his talent.”

When prompted by a reporter to clarify what he meant by ‘right decisions,’ Hjulmand commented, “It’s simpler for me to discuss this in English. When assessing a player, one must prioritize their attitude in training sessions. He is consistently attentive and willing to engage physically with opponents.”

He further praised Culbreath, stating, “He possesses superb technique with both feet and an impressive finishing ability. However, what stands out most is his unwavering presence in the game. He’s involved on both offense and defense—he’s a well-rounded player.”

In concluding his thoughts on Culbreath, Hjulmand remarked, “The transition from academy to professional football is substantial, yet he adapts swiftly. His awareness and ability to connect with the game are key attributes.”

When a journalist from Bild Zeitung pointed out that Culbreath had faced the Bayern U19 team last year while playing for Leverkusen’s U19 squad, Hjulmand switched back to German. The journalist inquired whether Culbreath, who has represented both Germany and the United States at youth levels, might be considered for the national team.

“That decision is not mine to make,” Hjulmand replied in German. “That lies with [national team coach] Julian [Nagelsmann]. All I can say is that we have an incredibly talented player emerging from our academy. That’s a significant advantage for our team and club.”