Back
16.10.2017Bundesliga

What the papers say: 'The final touch is missing'

Bayer 04 are unbeaten in three games following the 2-2 draw against VfL Wolfsburg. However, pleasure from that perspective has its limits. Not just because Heiko Herrlich's team missed the chance of third home win in succession against the Wolves. In the eyes of the media, a better result was on the cards against the team from Lower Saxony. What the papers say:
Tah_Zweikampf.jpg

"Leverkusen carelessly spurn victory against Wolfsburg. In spite of superiority and lots of good chances, Bayer 04 were only able to draw 2-2," wrote the Sunday edition of the Berliner Zeitung. According to the media, the Werkself alone are responsible for twice giving away the lead following goals from skipper Lars Bender (29') and Lucas Alario (61'). According to the Kölner Stadt Anzeiger, "Bayer 04 dropped two points in an entertaining match full of spectacular moments that ended in an avoidable 2-2 draw."

"Effort and rewards out of step"

 The press do see the Werkself as the dominant team for much of the game – particularly in the first half. "Once again, his (Heiko Herrlich's, ed.) team put in a great shift – but that wasn't enough to clock up a home win," declared the Bild Zeitung. The Westdeutsche Zeitung adopts a similar position, "effort and rewards out of step again for the Werkself."

 The sports magazine Kicker looks back at the performances in the last seven games of the season in its match assessment: "Bayer's pros look like the unfinished article. The final touch to complete the masterpiece is missing. Not for the first time this season. And it wasn't just against Hoffenheim that Bayer 04 failed to win in a game they completely dominated. It was the same in Mainz where a 1-0 lead turned into a 3-1 defeat. And now against Wolfsburg. The careless approach to their own chances is one thing but the way Bayer revitalise their opponents is another." The report continues: "If it was down to just two criteria then everything would be fine at Bayer 04. Most of the performances are satisfactory or good. The Werkself are more dangerous in front of goal compared with last season. The problem is that the results don't match.”

Related News

Piljic per Dropkick ins Glück: Bayer 04-Frauen schlagen Jena | 21. Spieltag
Werkself-TV - 22.03.2026

Women: TV-highlights of 1-0 home win against FC Carl Zeiss Jena

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 1-0 win against FC Carl Zeiss Jena on the 21th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.

Show more
Katharina Piljic bejubelt die Führung
Women - 22.03.2026

Piljic strike seals win for Bayer 04 Women against Jena

Thanks to a masterstroke from Katharina Piljic, the Werkself secured their eleventh win of the season in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga. On Sunday evening, coach Roberto Pätzold's team beat FC Carl Zeiss Jena 1-0. Midfielder Piljic scored the winning goal with a volley into the corner from the edge of the box (19’) in front of 633 spectators at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium - and ensured that Leverkusen moved up to fifth place in the table for at least one night with 34 points.

Show more
Terrier und Quansah
Bayer 04 - 22.03.2026

Bayer 04 pros Terrier and Quansah sidelined

Bayer 04 will have to make do without forward Martin Terrier in the next few weeks. The Frenchman sustained a muscle injury in his right hamstring in Saturday's 3-3 draw at Heidenheim in the Bundesliga.

Show more
Werkself bedankt sich bei den Fans
Bundesliga - 22.03.2026

Werkself review #FCHB04: ‘We’re ready to overcome this situation’

Three goals weren’t enough for the Werkself to beat FC Heidenheim on Saturday. The 3-3 stalemate was Bayer 04’s third Bundesliga draw in a row. After a commanding first half and a two-goal lead, “we didn’t get back into our game,” summarised Mark Flekken, who featured between the sticks for the first time in two months. Patrik Schick once again proved his nose for goal, bagging a brace. He is now the third-most prolific Bundesliga scorer in the club’s history. Despite the squandered points, head coach Kasper Hjulmand remains confident ahead of the final spurt of the season: “We’re ready to overcome this situation.” The Werkself review.

Show more
Bayer 04 held to 3-3 draw away at Heidenheim | 28th matchday
Werkself-TV - 21.03.2026

TV highlights of 3-3 draw at Heidenheim

Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 3-3 draw at FC Heidenheim on Matchday 27 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season...

Show more