Back
30.09.2018Bundesliga

What the papers say: 'A mad game by both teams'

Rarely has a game in the Bundesliga deserved to be called the top match as much as the 4-2 defeat for the Werkself against Borussia Dortmund. The media are unanimous in their reports and analysis.
Weiser.jpg

The online edition of the Kölner Stadt Anzeiger comes to the following conclusion: "Borussia Dortmund beat Bayer 04 Leverkusen 4-2 after being two goals down in the Saturday night game and are now top of the table. No other game in the current Bundesliga campaign has had greater entertainment value. Both teams showed the extent of their capabilities on the pitch … Both teams are very young. Bayer 04 displayed their talent for an hour and Borussia Dortmund their class in the second half."
The Sonntags Express highlights the fact that Borussia have taken top spot in the league after this victory. "League leaders, league leaders rang out from the Dortmund supporters on 86 minutes. The Barça loanee Paco Alcacer (25) had just scored to make it 3-2, turning round a mad game for BVB and propelling the Black and Yellows to the top of the table. Just before the end of the game, the toreador made it 4-2 against Bayer Leverkusen ... The BVB gang of rascals - six players in the starting line-up were 23 or younger - had been chasing a 2-0 deficit for an hour beforehand."
That is also the most important outcome of this top game for the Bild am Sonntag: "After Bayern's 2-0 defeat in Berlin, going top of the league was there on a silver platter. And Dortmund struck late on - a 4-2 victory in Leverkusen. New league leaders. A mad game by both teams. At the end Dortmund were as happy as Larry. ...“
In the online edition of the Rheinische Post Julian Brandt faced the question of how the Werkself could lose after taking such a clear lead: "The constant back and to between outstanding and average is now bothering everybody involved. … 'In the first half we did everything we intended to do, we were compact and were careful with our possession and we used our chances well,' said Julian Brandt in his fair summary of the first 45 minutes. … 'After they pulled a goal back, you could detect a certain insecurity running to the team,' declared Brandt.
The Kicker (online) employs the conjunctive case: "It would have been a statement victory. Would have been! After a bumpy start to the season, Bayer Leverkusen flew out of the blocks in the top game against Borussia Dortmund and deservedly took a 2-0 lead with a considered performance  - and they should have gone 3-0 up. In the end, there was a 4-2 defeat - and that came after an improved performance from the visitors how are now a new team at the top of the table."

Related News

Teamfoto Deutschland U19
Youth - 12.07.2026

U19 European Championship in Wales: Germany, with Culbreath and Onyeka, lose out in final

The Germany U19 team were beaten 2-0 by record champions Spain in the final of the U19 European Championship in Wales. Bayer 04 players Montrell Culbreath and Francis Onyeka (on loan at SV 07 Elversberg) were in the starting line-up and played the full 90 minutes.

Show more
Kenan Doganay mit Simon Rolfes und Kim Falkenberg
Youth - 09.07.2026

Bayer 04 sign France U17 international Kenan Doganay

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed France U17 international Kenan Doganay. The 1.90-metre-tall defensive midfielder, who has Turkish roots, joins Leverkusen from the U19s at French top-flight club Olympique Lyon. He will initially train with and play for the U19 team.

Show more
Bayer 04-Logo
Bayer 04 - 09.07.2026

DFB Sports Tribunal imposes fine on Bayer 04

The Sports Tribunal of the German Football Association (DFB) has fined Bayer 04 Leverkusen €185,000 for spectators setting off pyrotechnic devices during a total of five competitive matches. This relates to four Bundesliga matches and the DFB Pokal semi-final against Bayern Munich. The highest individual fine relates to the away match at FC Köln at the end of April.

Show more
Simeon Rapsch mit Kim Falkenberg (r.) und Bernd Korzynietz
Bayer 04 - 09.07.2026

Bayer 04 agree long-term deal with keeper Simeon Rapsch

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with U19 goalkeeper Simeon Rapsch. The Germany youth international goalkeeper has signed a long-term contract with the Werkself running to 30 June 2029. The 18-year-old joined Leverkusen from FC Viktoria Köln in the summer of 2024.

Show more