"Bayer 04 made up for the 2-1 defeat in Berlin. The Werkself used the spaces on offer against HSV and, after initial difficulties, their new line-up succeeded in finding their way in the game without shining. The win was a step in the right direction for the Werkself. Nothing more," reported the kicker sports journal. "Bayer remain unbeaten this season in front of their own fans and have now moved up to tenth place ," declared the Bonner General Anzeiger in reporting the 3-0 win against Hamburg. The report in the Tagesspiegel highlighted the fact "the Werkself have the third-best attack after matchday six with 12 goals scored behind Dortmund (19) and Bayern (14)."
The media focus obviously fell on the debut of Lucas Alario. The Express described the first game for the 24-year-old as follows: "On 23 minutes, Lucas Alario received his first convertible ball in the penalty area – and he put it away. The outstanding work for the assist by the impressive Leon Bailey was recognised by the Argentinian new signing on his Bayer debut with the eye of a true centre forward as he calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net to make it 2-0.“ And furthermore: "The Argentinian put in a solid performance, helped out his team-mates and clearly had the killer instinct," In the view of the Kölner Stadt Anzeiger,the new man had an impressive debut against HSV, "without magic and tricks but rather through his readiness to get involved in every challenge where it mattered to create usable passes for his team-mates."
The Rheinische Post also praised the performance of Alario: "The Argentinian new signing impressed in his first Bundesliga performance and contributed to the 3-0 win against Hamburg." In addition to the new Werkself star, the editor also mentioned two other key performers: "However, the best player on the pitch was Leon Bailey. The Jamaican impressed as the driving force in the hosts' game and he also provided two assists. Kevin Volland bagged a brace." Alongside Volland, who scored his third and fourth goals of the season, Bailey also received special praise from the Bild Zeitung. The tabloid also assesses Bailey's display as a "masterstroke from Heiko Herrlich as the winger from Jamaica helped to secure the victory with two great assists for Kevin Volland and Lucas Alario. Bailey was unstoppable throughout."
After Jens Nowotny was officially named a Bayer 04 honorary captain last weekend, the long-standing Werkself player is part of the Leverkusen delegation on the trophy tour to New York City next week from 11 to 14 September. In an interview with bayer04.de, the 50-year-old talked about his expectations ahead of the trip to the metropolis on the East Coast of the USA.
Show moreThe German Football League (DFL) has confirmed the dates and kick-off times for matchdays 6 to 12 of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season. Full details of the Bayer 04 fixtures.
Show moreMarkus Rehm, a long jumper at TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen, won the gold medal for the fourth time in succession at the Paralympics on Wednesday.
Show moreThe fixture details for the second round of the DFB Pokal 2024/25 have been confirmed. The home tie for Bayer 04 against second division SV 07 Elversberg is on Tuesday, 29 October with the kick off at 18.00 CET (live on Sky). That was announced by the German Football Association (DFB) on Thursday.
Show more