Back
17.12.2022Bayer 04

Werkself beat FC Zürich 4-1 in final friendly before Christmas

The Werkself secured a 4-1 win against FC Zürich in their last friendly in 2022. The goals against the Swiss champions were scored in the first half by Moussa Diaby (38') and Florian Wirtz (45') who was in the starting line-up for the first time since returning from injury. The lead was extended in the second half, first by Sardar Azmoun making it 3-0 (63') with Zürich’s Cheick Condé pulling a goal back at 3-1 a minute later. Amine Adli rounded off the scoring at 4-1 with a lob on 86 minutes.
crop_20221217_JS_B04_FCZ_1208.jpg

In contrast to the last friendly at Rangers (0-3), head coach Xabi Alonso opted for a 3-4-3 formation with four changes to his starting eleven: In defence, Odilon Kossounou and Piero Hincapie started in place of Daley Sinkgraven and Jonathan Tah. In midfield, Jeremie Frimpong, just back from the World Cup, plus U19 player Noah Pesch came in for Ayman Azhil and Kerem Demirbay. In addition, Florian Wirtz made his first return to the starting line-up, Amine Adli dropped down to the bench. The team also included: Niklas Lomb, Sardar Azmoun, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Daley Sinkgraven, Madi Monamay and Karim Bellarabi.

diaby and wirtz put werkself two up

There was a quiet start to the game from both teams although the Werkself gradually worked their way forward into the FCZ half and they dominated possession. Above all, Wirtz and Diaby again and again stood out up front in the Black and Red attack. With 23 minutes on the clock, Wirtz just failed to find his French teammate with a cross. On 36 minutes, again it was the 19-year-old Wirtz who put the ball through to Diaby on the right and his low shot went just the wrong side of the far post. 

The lead did come two minutes later: Diaby intercepted a misplaced pass from FC Zürich keeper Yanick Brecher and shot from the edge of the box. The ball was deflected but did end up in the back of the net – 1-0 for the Werkself (38').

 

crop_20221217_JS_B04_FCZ_0655.jpg

Wirtz then scored just before half-time: After good build-up play from Hlozek and Frimpong, the Werkself number 27 fired a shot into the top left corner from inside the penalty area to make it 2-0. That was the score at the end of the first 45 minutes.

Azmoun and Adli extend lead

Xabi Alonso made four changes for the start of the second half: Niklas Lomb was between the sticks, Amine Adli, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Sardar Azmoun played up front. The latter broke down the right on 63 minutes and succeeding in converting a shot to make it 3-0. A minute later, the visitors from Switzerland pulled a goal back through Cheick Condé with an impressive shot from 25 yards out into the top corner.

Substitute Adli scored with an fine strike four minutes from time: From a long ball from Hudson-Odoi, which Bellarabi skilfully dummied, the 22-year-old lobbed the ball over the Zürich keeper into the back of the net to make it 4-1.

 

crop_20221217_B04_gegen_Zuerich_59309.jpg

break followed by more friendlies

The Werkself now go into a well-deserved Christmas break. However, there will be not a lot of time to rest: Xabi Alonso will hold the first training session on Tuesday 3 January. The Alonso team have two friendlies in January against Venezia FC on 7 January (kick-off: 15.00 CET) plus at home to FC Copenhagen on 15 January (kick-off: 15.00 CET). The first competitive match in the New Year for the Black and Reds is on 22 January: Leverkusen are away to Borussia Mönchengladbach (kick-off: 17.30 CET) on Bundesliga matchday 16.

Match stats:

Bayer 04: Hradecky (Lomb 46') – Kossounou (Monamay 66’), Tapsoba, Hincapie – Frimpong (Sinkgraven 66’), Andrich, Sertdemir (Bellarabi 66’), Pesch (Okafor 66’) – Diaby (Adli 46'), Hlozek (Azmoun 46'), Wirtz (Hudson-Odoi 46')

FC Zürich: Brecher – Kamberi, Guerrero, Aliti, Omeragic, Hodza, Condé, Selnaes, Viunnyk, Marchesano, Krasniqi 

Goals: 1-0 Diaby (38’), 2-0 Wirtz (45’), 3-0 Azmoun (63’), 3-1 Condé (64’), 4-1 Adli (86’)

Referee: Nico Fuchs (DJK Dürscheid)

Attendance: 3,000 (sell-out) at Ulrich Haberland Stadium

Related News

BayArena
Bundesliga - 28.03.2025

Matchday news #B04BOC: Fan club invites people to join in with TOGETHER! matchday campaign

The Werkself host VfL Bochum at the BayArena on Bundesliga Matchday 27. Today's game, on Friday 28 March, kicks off at 20:30 CET and there are several events planned. The matchday news on the clash with the team from Castroper Straße.

Show more
Myron Boadu vom VfL Bochum 1848
Bundesliga - 27.03.2025

Our next opponents: VfL hope for return of top scorer

VfL Bochum are unbeaten in their last three Bundesliga away matches. The club from the Ruhr inflicted the first home defeat on league leaders Bayern Munich at the start of the month. The Blue and Whites visit the BayArena on Friday night, 28 March (kick-off: 20:30 CET) in the opening fixture on Bundesliga Matchday 27. And the team led by coach Dieter Hecking believe they also stand a chance against last season's double winners. Not least because their top striker is available again. The lowdown on our next opponents.

Show more
Training
Bayer 04 - 26.03.2025

Build-up to #B04BOC: Six national players back in training

The Werkself returned to the training ground at the start of the week after a short rest during the international break. Head coach Xabi Alonso welcomed back six players from international duty for the session on Wednesday morning in preparation for the Bundesliga home game against VfL Bochum on Friday, 28 March (kick-off: 20:30 CET).

Show more
imago1060284395.jpg
Bayer 04 - 26.03.2025

International updates: Palacios and Co. qualify for World Cup – Schick scores again

Twelve Werkself players are in action with their national teams in the current international break. Some of them are playing in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals, others in qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Read on for the blog on international fixtures involving Bayer 04 players.

Show more