The Werkself, with three new signings in the starting line-up compared with the 3-2 defeat against RB Leipzig, dominated proceedings from the start and at times pressed TSG back deep into their own half. New signing Martin Terrier deservedly gave the German double winners the lead on 18 minutes, Victor Boniface then made it 2-0 after the half-hour mark. Hoffenheim's Mergim Berisha pulled a goal back for the hosts late in the first half (37'). After a quiet start to the second half, Dennis Geiger brought down Florian Wirtz in the TSG penalty area and the Leverkusen playmaker picked himself up to convert the spot-kick to make it 3-1 (72'). Boniface rounded off the scoring at 4-1 with the second strike of his brace. The match report is HERE
Sporting managing director Simon Rolfes said after the final whistle: "Of course, we are happy to have won here. Our challenge was to be dominant again here. I think we really deserved to win." Granit Xhaka said: "Not everything can be perfect after the first two matchdays. We’re happy we could get a result again today and that we showed a good reaction after the Leipzig game. That does us good." The Switzerland international did share some criticism: "We wobbled a bit after conceding the goal and that mustn't happen. We need to work on that."
Head coach Xabi Alonso said at the post-match press conference: "We were absolutely ready for this match and we showed the right reaction after the defeat against Leipzig. We played with discipline and professionalism even though we had a couple of problems before half-time. Nevertheless, we are happy with the performance and the result overall."
he kicker writes: The Victor Boniface brace "puts Bayer back on winning ways." And further adds: "Hoffenheim only resisted for a half." The Rheinische Post reports: "Bayer Leverkusen recovered well after the first league defeat in 15 months." The news journal named Boniface as Man of the Match and gave him top marks. The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger: "Bayer Leverkusen produced a champion's performance after the end of an impressive run of 35 Bundesliga games unbeaten."
The opener was the first goal for new signing Martin Terrier in a Werkself jersey. The Frenchman did open the scoring in the draw in the friendly at RC Lens (2-2) and the assist there was also provided by Victor Boniface. Terrier said after the game: "I wanted to use the international break to integrate better into the team. I'm very happy that it's worked so well today straightaway with the first goal and that we were able to pick up a convincing victory."
It was also a special afternoon for another new signing in Sinsheim: Nordi Mukiele, who joined the Werkself in the summer on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, made his debut for Bayer 04. The Frenchman came on for Piero Hincapie on 85 minutes.
The Werkself are now unbeaten in the last 19 away games in the Bundesliga (16 wins, three draws). Only Bayern Munich have a longer unbeaten run on the road in the history the Bundesliga (33 from 2012 to 2014). For the first time in the club's history, Bayer 04 have won the first two away games in a Bundesliga campaign.
And a look at individual numbers in the match reveals some interesting statistics: The scorer of two goals and provider of one Victor Boniface had seven shots on goal in Sinsheim – at this point, the equal highest number for any player in the current Bundesliga season. After his goal and his assist at TSG, Florian Wirtz now has three goals and one assist and that is only bettered by Hoffenheim's Andrej Kramaric (four goals, one assist).
Bayer 04 next play in the newly created league phase of the UEFA Champions League. The Werkself are away to Feyenoord on Thursday, 19 September (kick-off: 18.45 CEST). The next opponents in the Bundesliga are VfL Wolfsburg. The match at the BayArena on Sunday, 22 September, kicks off at 15.30 CEST.
Twelve Werkself players have been selected for their national teams in the final international break of the year, with the Leverkusen's international players competing in the final group matches in the UEFA Nations League, in qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup or the Africa Cup of Nations. We round up all the results involving Bayer 04 players here.
Show moreFive players in the Bayer 04 Women squad have been selected for the Germany U23s for two international fixtures. That was announced by the German Football Association (DFB) on Tuesday afternoon.
Show moreBayer 04’s Bundesliga game at home to St. Pauli on Saturday, 7 December will be the next district matchday of the season, with the district of Hitdorf being the stage for numerous activities in the week building up to the fixture against the promoted side.
Show moreThe Bayer 04 Fanzone opens in two days time on Wednesday, 20 November in the South Stand at the BayArena. Bayer 04 fans will be able to enjoy a state-of-the-art, interactive shopping and fan experience covering more than 700 square metres. Black and Reds supporters are warmly welcome to spend an exciting day in this brand-new area at the stadium.
Show moreIt is already a fact that the Bayer 04 Women have had their best Hinrunde ever. The Werkself are fourth in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga on 23 points two behind the top team. Tickets are now on sale for the final games of the year. The tickets for the last two home matches in 2024 at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium are available now. First up on Friday, 6 December (kick-off: 18.30 CET) are last season's runners-up VfL Wolfsburg and that is followed by the home game at the start of the Rückrunde against SC Freiburg on Saturday, 14 December (12.00 CET).
Show more