The kicker makes special mention of winter signing Exequiel Palacios. The Argentinian played "a key role" in his "decent" debut. And in further comment on the holding midfielder: "The international could play alongside Demirbay in what would be an even more significant role against BVB. Not just alongside one but also three strategists (Aránguiz, Baumgartlinger, Demirbay, ed.). Not a problem as Palacios was the main man on the pitch at River Plate as the focus in midfield."
The specialist sports journal also uses Kai Havertz' words as a headline: "That was unnecessarily exciting." The analysis of the Werkself win reads: "The 2-1 win keeps Bayer in this competition – but the Werkself showed no sign of domination against the second division side. Little structure, no recognisable desire, a lack of seriousness – Bayer actually needed an own goal from the opposition, in fact the eighth of the season, a fortunate strike from Alario and all the luck in the world when an unmarked Mateo Klimowicz missed the chance to equalise with one minute to play."
In the individual analysis in the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, the Argentinian striker, and yesterday's goalscorer, Lucas Alario came out on top. The reasoning: "He would have scored the opening goal if Havertz hadn't made his header in the first half into an offside goal, with the second goal Havertz let the ball run." Jonathan Tah, who came on for the second half, was also highlighted, ("Definitely a security factor in the Bayer defence").
The Kölnische Rundschau identifies "carelessness" as a "constant companion" of Bayer 04. In addition to that: "Leverkusen should actually have had enough of this unnecessary experience that is in complete contrast to the promise of their talent."
The Rheinische Post comes to the following conclusion: "Bayer struggled through to the quarter-finals. In the first half, the hosts were slow, lacked precision and ideas. Bayer did not give the impression that it was an all-or-nothing match in the clash with the promotion candidates from Baden-Württemberg.
It was the visitors from Stuttgart's turn after the restart. Nicolas Gonzales beat substitute Jonathan Tah but was unable to get past the Bayer keeper Lukas Hradecky (48'). After the big chance for the visitors, Bayer looked more committed without creating many goalscoring opportunities. In the end, the Werkself needed the help of the Stuttgart keeper for the opening goal."
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