Back
16.01.2021Bundesliga

What the papers say: 'No easy mission' in Berlin

In the Friday night game for the Werkself, Union Berlin not only earned the three points but also received much praise in the match reports.
20210115_JS_FCU_B04_0918.jpg

"The Bundesliga sensation Union Berlin have again upset a top team and stormed into fourth place for at least a day," is the start of the match report in the EXPRESS.

There is a similar assessment in the Tagesspiegel. "With the 1-0 win against Leverkusen, Union secured a good result against a strong opponent at the Alte Försterei for the second time in succession," it says in the report. "After two defeats last season, Union clocked up their first win against Leverkusen at the third attempt."

"Late blow in Berlin"

"Late blow in Berlin," is the headline in the Leverkusener Anzeiger that describes the course of the game as follows: "Bayer 04 had more possession as expected but almost exclusively in areas where there was no danger. Union sat back and waited for mistakes." The Werkself only posed problems "when they were able to bring their fast wingers into play."

There is a similar analysis in the Kölnische Rundschau. "Leverkusen tried to use their greater pace in attack to find a gap in the Union defence and came close to scoring at the end of the first 45 minutes," writes the paper. "Nadiem Amiri and Kerem Demirbay (38') and Julian Baumgartlinger (41') had chances to open the scoring but missed promising opportunities."

Lots of possession, little benefit

Overall, the Rheinische Post believes Bayer 04 made "little capital" from their "large amount of possession." Particularly in midfield, it was "no easy mission" for Nadiem Amiri & Co. to "break through the tightly packed Berlin centre."

For the BILD, the game retreated into the background due to an incident involving Nadiem Amiri. "Union Berlin beat Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 but nobody was talking about the 90 minutes after the game," writes the tabloid – and only mentions the events on the pitch as an aside.

Related News

20261027_JS_Stadion_2642.jpg
DFB-Pokal - 28.10.2026

Matchday News: Take strong home form into cup

The Werkself have reached at least the semi-finals of the DFB Pokal in each of the last three years. The Black-and-Reds would like to make it to the final four of the competition again this season, but to do that they'll need to overcome 1. FC Nürnberg in round two, who travel to the BayArena with momentum following a successful league campaign so far. However, Bayer have a 100 percent record at home in all competitions this season - and have also won six of their last seven home matches in the Pokal. The Matchday News.

Show more
Die PK vor dem Pokal-Heimspiel gegen Nürnberg | 2. Runde DFB-Pokal
Werkself-TV - 27.10.2026

Martínez ahead of #B04FCN: ‘Let’s achieve our goal together with the fans’

Back at home in the second round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal, Bayer 04 host FC Nürnberg at the BayArena. The match against the current second-placed side in Bundesliga 2 is on Wednesday 28 October at 20:45 CET. Ahead of the game, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about his anticipation of the clash in front of a home crowd. The Spaniard also commented on a number of personnel matters, including Ibrahim Maza and Montrell Culbreath, plus the visitors’ coach, Miroslav Klose.

Show more
Justvan, Fernandez, Scobel
DFB-Pokal - 27.10.2026

Our next opponents: A formidable force even without their top goalscorer

Now in their third season under head coach Miroslav Klose, FC Nürnberg are among the promotion contenders in Bundesliga 2. On Wednesday 28 October (kick-off: 20:45 CET), the team currently second in the table are away to Bayer 04 in the second round of the DFB Pokal. The lowdown on our next opponents.

Show more
Ibrahim Maza beim Ballon d‘Or 2026
Bayer 04 - 26.10.2026

Maza nominated for Men's Young Talent of the Year at the Ballon d‘Or 2026 ✨

Werkself player Ibrahim Maza has been named in the top ten in the ‘Men’s Young Talent of the Year’ category for 2026. The 20-year-old was at the London Palladium on Monday evening for the 2026 Ballon d’Or awards ceremony. Fernando Carro, Bayer 04 CEO, also attended the ceremony. Lamine Yamal of Barcelona was named the winner in the ‘Men’s Young Talent of the Year’ category.

Show more
Moussa Diaby und Loïc Badé
Bayer 04 - 26.10.2026

Diaby and Badé sidelined

Bayer 04 will have to manage without forward Moussa Diaby for their upcoming matches. The 27-year-old Frenchman sustained a thigh injury in the 3-0 defeat against TSG Hoffenheim yesterday afternoon, Sunday 25 October. Diaby is expected to be available again after the international break in November.

Show more