The Werkself were on top from the start of the game and on the front foot but initially found it difficult to break down the Darmstadt defence. Leverkusen took the lead on the break following a corner from the visitors with Victor Boniface opening the scoring with a clinical lob from close range. The Lilies were able to level shortly afterwards (25’) but the Black and Reds were undaunted by the equaliser and went on to dominate proceedings. With the strike by Exequiel Palacios (49') the Werkself had a dream start to the second half and further goals from Boniface (61'), Jonas Hofmann (68’) and substitute Adam Hlozek (83’) sealed a deserved 5-1 home win against Darmstadt.
Talking after the match, head coach Xabi Alonso assessed the game as follows: "5-1 is a big win but it wasn't an easy game for us, particularly in the first half. It became easier with the goal from Palacios in the second half and we were able to score more goals."
Hofmann and Boniface also spoke after the victory. Hofmann declared: "It's very striking how everybody remains true to our style of play. We are following a clear plan and we don't let ourselves get upset when we concede. We keep going. And that makes us strong!" Boniface emphasised: "We are very happy about the win. We fit in really well with each other and if we carry on like this then we'll have lots more joy together."
The kicker headline in reporting the Bundesliga fixture reads "Leverkusen ready for Munich" and explains the win for the Werkself over the Lilies has created "perfect conditions for the top of the table meeting at FC Bayern."
Given the three wins in the first three matches, the Bild-Zeitung talks about a "dream start", while the Rheinische Post sums up the current impressive performances succinctly: "It's going well under the Bayer Cross." The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger looks at the short and quick passing: "The Werkself move the ball around the box in the style of a handball match."
It was hardly surprising that Boniface was a matchwinner with the striker netting twice for the Black and Reds. That was the second brace in succession for the Nigerian. The powerful forward put the ball in the back of the Borussia Mönchengladbach twice last week and the 22-year-old increased his goals tally to four against the Lilies. Coach Alonso again praised an impressive performance speaking after the match: "Victor is not only a good striker, he is a complete player. And you can see on and off the pitch then he gets on very well with his teammates."
Another Werkself player clocked up his first minutes in the Bundesliga with Bayer 04 on 72 minutes. With the scoreline of 4-1, Alonso brought on new signing Nathan Tella. The Englishman was keen to perform and he made several attempts on goal.
A look at the stats reflects the scoreline: The Werkself were on top in all areas including possession (72.1% to 27.9%), shots on goal (25 to 5) and challenges won (51.4% to 48.6%). Equally noteworthy: The Werkself played over 700 passes in the game – and that was more than twice as many as the Lilies (775 to 300).
Matchday four in the Bundesliga is after the international break for the Werkself. The Black and Reds are away to champions Bayern Munich on Friday 15 September (kick-off: 20.30 CEST).
Bayer 04 Leverkusen continue the journey with Business Club partners Conrad Conrad Profistore Hürth with a 12-month contract extension to the end of the current 2024/24 season. The scope of the partnership has also been extended. The Conrad Profistore in Hürth has been working with the champions of Germany and DFB Pokal winners since January 2024.
Show moreThe sports tribunal of the German Football Association (DFB) has rejected Bayer 04's appeal against a replay of the Women's Bundesliga match at SC Freiburg (3-2). That's the outcome of a hearing at the DFB Campus in Frankfurt on Tuesday. Originally, SC had lodged an appeal against the match result.
Show moreThe Werkself have begun preparations for the home match against Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday 19 October (15:30 CEST). Following a behind-closed-doors session at the start of the week, Xabi Alonso and his team worked in front of fans on Tuesday.
Show moreWerkself players Nordi Mukiele and Niklas Lomb attended the Bayer 04 Football School on Tuesday afternoon. In the first week of the autumn half-term, the new signing and the long-serving goalkeeper answered numerous questions from over 100 young footballers at the kids press conference. After the round of questions, there was of course a group photo as well as an autograph session, where the duo didn't leave a single kit or boot unsigned.
Show moreThe Werkself visit VfL Bochum on Bundesliga Matchday 10. The game kicks off at 15:30 CET at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion on Saturday 9 November. Details on how to get tickets.
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