What the papers say: ‘Dortmund were the smarter team’

"Bayer 04 have lost an away game in the Bundesliga for the first time since March. The Werkself, under coach Peter Bosz, deservedly lost 4-0 at Borussia Dortmund in the top match on Saturday," wrote the Rheinische Post. "On a sunny September afternoon, Dortmund proved to be the smarter, more clinical team."

Great effort with no positive return

Die Welt reported the Werkself did have more possession, "but did not pose a serious threat on goal in the first 45 minutes. BVB were 1-0 up at the break. Leverkusen looked highly motivated after half-time and created two good chances just after the restart. In the middle of the pressing from the visitors, Dortmund launched a counter-attack.… The BVB captain slotted the ball into the bottom left corner of the net. 2-0 on 51 minutes and a second goal for Reus in the current Bundesliga campaign. Leverkusen reacted to the latest setback with livelier attacks but lacked the necessary control of the game. The great effort from the team did not produce a positive return. Too many misplaced passes and a lack of communication between different parts of the team typified the Werkself game; Peter Bosz's side struggled with the compact Dortmund team and justifiably suffered a first defeat in nine league games."

Turned it round after the break

The FAZ identified the period after the restart as the crucial phase of the game: "Dortmund turned it round shortly after the break when Bellarabi missed a great chance in a counter-attack when he was put through in a one-on-one with Roman Bürki after a great pass from Kai Havertz but he shot just wide of the target (49'). And a minute later it was 2-0."

BVB clinical

The reporter from the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger came to the following conclusion: "Bayer 04 Leverkusen failed the first real test of the season. The focus on possession and control of the game did not bear fruit against an impressive Dortmund team. BVB were also more clinical by at least one level."

Winners: Alcacer, Sancho and Reus

The BILD takes a similar view: "Another plus for BVB: they were incredibly efficient against Leverkusen. Dortmund and only had 37% possession. The shot ratio was 9 to 12 and after half-time 4 to 5 (3-0 goals)." The tabloid identifies three winners in particular for the hosts: "If Paco Alcacer (fifth goal in four league games), Jadon Sancho (five assists after four games) and Marco Reus (a brace) perform as well against Barcelona as they did against Bayer than they could get off to a dream start in the Champions League."

Bender: We don't like losing 

In contrast, the journalists from the BILD newspaper observed a disagreement between the Bender twins on the pitch after the final whistle at the Dortmund stadium: "Sven vented his displeasure after the 4-0 hammering in Dortmund – and also with brother Lars. He later explained his tantrum: 'It's well known that we both don't like losing. I think you have to be able to say what you think after a defeat like that.' A particularly bitter day for coach Peter Bosz: He suffered his biggest Bundesliga loss against his former club."

Passes too sloppy

The Rheinpfalz believes Bayer 04 failed to decisively influence the game in the opening stages: "Leverkusen were the better team until the first goal for Dortmund from Paco Alcacer (28') but the passes in the final third were too sloppy. In contrast, Dortmund looked invigorated after the goal, leaving possession to the visitors and counter-attacking. …'We defended very well and that was necessary today,' said a relieved Dortmund coach Lucien Favre."

Setback ahead of Champions League start

The news agency dpa comes to the following conclusion: "In contrast, Leverkusen suffered a setback ahead of the Champions League start on Wednesday against Lokomotiv Moscow. After a long successful run and much praise for Bosz, the clear result provided a wake-up call. ... Coach Bosz made it quite clear: 'You lose big games if you make that many mistakes. We weren't a team in the end and we were much too open.'"