What the papers say: 'Too good for FCA'

The Rheinische Post reports: "Even two goals disallowed through VAR could not prevent the team under coach Peter Bosz securing a third win in succession. (…) Bayer Leverkusen and FC Augsburg have met 15 times in the Bundesliga – and the Rhinelanders have never lost to date. That run continued after the 16th fixture between the two sides. The 4-1 win away to Augsburg paves the way for an exciting run-in towards qualification for the Europa or even Champions League. (…) The Leverkusen approach to the game was focused and clinical. After a good start, Augsburg did not have the means to pose a real threat to the Bosz eleven. Bayer are now certainly in the running for a top-four finish. Eintracht Frankfurt visit the BayArena next Sunday. Another win in this direct dual for a European spot – and then there is the chance to achieve something that would have appeared utopian three or four weeks ago."

The online edition of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung observes: "Leverkusen deserved the win at Augsburg and have now consolidated their European ambitions. Augsburg were much too passive in this game and after the opening goal on 12 minutes they were hardly able to create any danger and only had 25 per cent possession in front of their own crowd. After an early setback, Leverkusen were comfortable for the remaining 80 minutes. The visitors were never rushed although they could have been more ambitious at certain times. In spite of two goals ruled out through VAR and a shot against the bar they secured a convincing 4-1 win."

The Kölner Stadt Anzeiger sums up the game as follows: "Clenched fists, happy faces, the away fans singing. Bayer 04 Leverkusen made the most of the Friday night game away to FC Augsburg and earned a 4-1 win that confirms their European ambitions and puts their rivals under pressure. It was the best Werkself performance in weeks with notable performances through all parts of the team. The third consecutive win was overall more convincing after the victories against Stuttgart and Nürnberg that only came from set pieces."

The Kicker reports: Bayer Leverkusen have laid down a marker in the race to qualify for Europe. With the 4-1 victory over FC Augsburg on Friday night, the Werkself registered their third win in succession and increase the pressure on their rivals at the same time. The win was only really endangered in the opening stages with Bayer setting course for victory shortly after the restart."

And the Augsburger Allgemeine recognises Leverkusen's superiority: "After the two successful performances in the 3-1 win at Frankfurt and the 6-0 runaway victory against VfB Stuttgart, expectations were obviously high that FC Augsburg could overcome the final hurdle to stay up against Leverkusen. However, the visitors were too good for FCA and with a 4-1 win in front of a crowd of 26,404 at Augsburg they can continue to dream of playing in Europe."

The Welt analysis reads: "After a lively start, FCA dropped back and Bayer clearly had more possession and were able to get past the Augsburg defence time after time with quick high balls behind the back four. (…) Less than four minutes had gone in the second half when a fine move via Brandt and Volland saw the ball end up with Havertz and he skilfully lobbed it over Kobel to give Leverkusen a deserved lead. Bayer now dominated proceedings and in spite of having a goal disallowed (57') they refused to be downhearted. Tah rewarded the impressive performance of the visitors when he fired the ball into the back of the net on the hour mark like a striker after a failed clearance by Kobel to make it 3-1. Brandt rounded it off the strike to make it 4-1."

The assessment of the Ruhr Nachrichten: "The crowd saw an entertaining and feisty match where the hosts were only able to keep pace with the Leverkusen tempo in the opening stages."