Leverkusen boss Hjulmand hails ´world-class´ Grimaldo after latest free-kick exploits

Kasper Hjulmand paid tribute to “world-class” Alex Grimaldo, after the Bayer Leverkusen defender once again demonstrated his “unbelievable” free-kick exploits against FC Copenhagen.

The Bundesliga side twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw with the reigning Superliga champions at Parken.

Grimaldo grabbed the first equaliser in the 82nd minute when he fired a superb 25-yard free-kick into Dominik Kotarski’s top-left corner.

The full-back has now scored the outright most direct free-kick goals by a Spanish player in Champions League history, moving ahead of his former boss Xabi Alonso (three).

It was also Grimaldo’s third in two games, after he scored two during Leverkusen’s 3-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in Bundesliga last weekend.

“It’s just world-class. Absolutely crazy,” Hjulmand told reporters during his post-match press conference.

You just know it’s going in. Everytime!pic.twitter.com/AoVdztxEGY

— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) September 18, 2025

“He was frustrated when he missed the first one [free-kick during the first half]. He just sees the goal. His free-kick ability is unbelievable. Pure, sheer world-class.”

Hjulmand’s second game in charge of Leverkusen – and first in the Champions League – came on familiar territory for the former Denmark boss.

And he was pleased with the character his new side showed.

“At the end of the day, I think we should be satisfied with the point and move on,” he added.

“We are still learning what we can do with this group of new players. It’s a new team. Today, we showed some character again. Being behind twice here in Parken is difficult, so we take the point and move on. We have a lot of work to do.”