Kai Havertz and Julian Brandt filled the top two positions for 'Attacking midfield'. Havertz finished first in the Kicker rankings for the first time. Only Kai and Julian Brandt managed to finish in the 'International class' category. The Kicker assessment reads: "Kai Havertz produced one top performance after next in the second half of the season, scoring11 goals himself and providing one assist. He impressed with an almost perfect mix of abilities and he was the symbol of Leverkusen's fightback… Particularly at the end when the battle for Europe and the Champions League came to head as he helped pull the Bayer team through to Champions League qualification with his seven goals from matchday 28."
The Kicker writes about Julian Brandt, still at Leverkusen but destined to join Borussia Dortmund, as follows: "Julian Brandt moved into the middle under Peter Bosz. The change of position did the 23-year-old a power of good: Brandt coupled his creative skills with an outstanding efficiency (six goals, 12 assists)." Third in the ranking was Dortmund's Marco Reus.
The Chile international and currently Copa America participant Charles Aránguiz and the Austrian Julian Baumgartlinger can both be happy about being ranked so high. In the position of 'Defensive midfield', Aránguiz finished second behind Thiago from Bundesliga rivals FC Bayern in the 'International class’ category: "As a strong in the tackle, stabilising factor, Charles Aránguiz proved convincing in front of the defence. The Chilean also showed his ability at the other end the pitch and his five goals in the last four games of the season played a big part in qualification for the Champions League."
His team-mate Julian Baumgartlinger finished fourth in the rankings. Kicker summed up 'Baumi' as follows: "When Bayer Leverkusen are on song then others like Havertz, Brandt and Volland more openly excel. But Julian Baumgartlinger ensures the attacking players have their space. The Austrian is not the most noticeable player but he is extremely important to the balance of the side with his tactical ability. His marks in Kicker match reports demonstrate he can impress in his own way.
Bayer 04 host Augsburg at the BayArena this Saturday for Matchday 31 of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game against the 10th-placed Bavarians, including the ‘Finally Red’ fan campaign.
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The first of the Werkself’s remaining 04 fixtures of this season comes on Saturday at home to Augsburg (kick-off: 3.30pm CEST). Ahead of the Matchday 31 encounter, head coach Xabi Alonso reflected on previous weeks, spoke about goals for the remainder of the campaign and also Jonathan Tah.
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Augsburg have enjoyed an excellent run of form this year and come to the BayArena on Saturday (kick-off: 3.30pm CEST) full of confidence as they take on the Werkself. Jess Thorup’s team boast one of the meanest defences in the Bundesliga and harbour real hope of securing European qualification this season. Here’s all you need to know about our next opponents.
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Bayer 04 Women won 3-1 away at Turbine Potsdam on Friday night to maintain their chances of finishing in the top three and qualifying for the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Delice Boboy, Cornelia Kramer and Karolina Lea Vilhjalmsdottir struck for the Werkself at the Google Pixel Bundesliga’s bottom club, whose relegation was confirmed with the result. Leverkusen’s 12th win of the campaign took them up to 40 points.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without defender Nordi Mukiele and the Argentinian striker Alejo Sarco for the time being. Both players suffered muscle injuries in yesterday's Werkself training session.
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