Once again, Kai Havertz with 12 goals – as in 2018/19 (17 goals) – was the most prolific Leverkusen forward and he played a big part in the black and red attack that netted 63 goals this season. In a repeat of last season, Kai is followed by Kevin Volland (10), scoring double figures for the third campaign in succession, plus the Argentinian central striker Lucas Alario (7).
Havertz secured a record with one of his 12 goals: The winner in the 1-0 victory in the home game against SC Freiburg on matchday 29 was his 35th in the top flight. As our number 29 was only 20 years and 353 days old at the time, that goal set a record in the Bundesliga – no other player was younger when they reached that milestone.
Just one matchday later, exceptional talent Florian Wirtz also set a record with his curler past Germany keeper Manuel Neuer for the final goal in the 4-2 defeat against FC Bayern: At the age of 17 years, one month and three days, the Germany U17 international became the youngest ever goalscorer in the history the Bundesliga – and also in the Bayer 04 record books.
No other Werkself player needed less time on average to score a goal: The 19-year-old Paulinho scored three goals in 291 minutes on the pitch in the Bundesliga. The Brazilian, currently recovering from a torn cruciate, netted a brace in the four-home win against Eintracht Frankfurt. At the start of year, Paulinho played a crucial part in helping Brazil qualify for the Olympic Games in Tokyo with three goals in seven games. As with the European Championships, the Olympics have been postponed to next year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
This Bayer 04 player can outpace nearly everybody in the league: Leon Bailey's top speed this season was measured at 36.4 km/h in the game against Hertha Berlin on matchday 33. That sets a new record for a Leverkusen player since the recording of tracking data in 2013/14 and is also the third highest this season. Only Alphonso Davies (FC Bayern) and Dortmund's Achraf Hakimi were slightly quicker.
There are also positive stats to report from the defence: The Werkself have been able to rely on Lukas Hradecky in goal. The Finland goalkeeper, who was an ever-present this term, saved 100 shots and also kept 10 clean sheets. Hradecky also foiled 14 clear-cut chances from opponents – more than any other keeper this season. And the sports journal Kicker also recognises the achievements of the Leverkusen goalkeeper: Hradecky had the best marks of all the Bundesliga keepers. He also had the fourth best assessment of all the players in the league.
And finally, although not a record, the achievement of Sven Bender is still impressive. The central defender had 2,993 touches in 34 league games – that is only beaten by Joshua Kimmich (3,314). Sven Bender also has the highest pass completion rate in the team (95 per cent).
Ahead of the away game at FC Augsburg on Bundesliga Matchday 14 in the 2024/25 season on Saturday, 14 December (kick-off: 15.30 CET), the Bayer 04 Fan Liaison team bring you the latest information on the match at the WWK Arena…
Show moreThe Nerazzurri are in town: Today, Tuesday 10 December, Bayer 04 entertain the reigning champions of Italy Inter Milan on Matchday 6 in the UEFA Champions League (kick-off: 21.00 CET/live on DAZN and on Werkself Radio). Read on for the latest information on the home game at the BayArena.
Show moreThe Bayer 04 U19 team lost 1-0 to Inter Milan on the sixth and final matchday in the league phase of the UEFA Youth League 2024/25. The only goal of the game was scored just after the hour mark. While the side from North Italy have finished top in the league phase with a maximum points return, the Leverkusen team appeared to have just missed out on the knockout stages of the European competition. There is faint hope looking to several games to follow where results are needed to go the way of the Werkself.
Show moreItalian teams are known for being strong in defence. The fact that Inter Milan, the next opponents for the Werkself in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, 10 December (kick-off: 20.45 CET), have not conceded a single goal in their last five matches is impressive. Will the visitors' keeper Yann Sommer be able to keep a clean sheet at the BayArena against Florian Wirtz and Co.? The lowdown on our next opponents.
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