Review: In the fourth group match in the Europa League, the top Spanish club Real Betis were the visitors at Leverkusen. The first match ended in a 1-1 draw with the Werkself securing a convincing 4-0 victory in the second meeting on their own turf. The man of the match: Moussa Diaby. The lightning fast left-footer was inspired and it was directly involved in all four goals (two goals, two assists).
The three-time full international spoke emotionally after the game about a visit from special guests from his hometown in France who gave him additional motivation against the team from Andalusia and also provided a link to the club from the French capital.
Moussa, there were a lot of fans in the stands with your shirt on at the Europa League home game against Real Betis at the BayArena – what was that about?
Diaby: They were young youth players from my youth team club Espérance Paris 19. They had a friendly against the Bayer 04 U11s in the afternoon and were at the stadium in the evening to watch the match. It's a great story for me because the kids come from the same part of Paris that I came from.
What connection do you still have with Espérance Paris 19?
Diaby: It was my first club were I started playing football as a young child. I grew up there, absorbed my basic football knowledge and I have the lot to thank the club for because of that. They played their part in me being at Bayer 04 today.
How did it come about that the people came to Leverkusen?
Diaby: I invited them. It was important for me to do something good for the youth players of my old club. A lot of the kids were watching their first professional much live at a stadium. And everybody was very happy in the end with the 4-0 victory – the parents and the children.
What was it like seeing so many shirts at once with your name on. That must be rather unusual?
Diaby: Yes, of course, it is absolutely unusual to see so many shirts with your name on in one place. The special thing about it is that the people really mean so much to me. It makes me proud and happy that they've travelled to Germany to see me play. That gave me a boost and helped me to produce a good performance, support the team and make people happy.
Even better that you succeeded in providing two goals and two assists in this match.
Diaby: Yes, totally. Of course, my two goals and assists make me happy – above all there are also important for my team. And as I said: I've also got to thank the people in the stands to a certain extent for my performance. I'm very happy – for them and for me too.
HERE are some emotional images on the night...
Monster Energy has been a partner in the Sponsors Club at Bayer 04 Leverkusen since the start of the 2023/24 season. Monster Energy has shown their products at Werkself home games on the LED advertising hoardings at the BayArena. Monster Energy activated the next stage of the partnership with the current Bundesliga league leaders for Bayer 04’s home game against Union Berlin in the middle of November. Monster Energy will continue to present themselves as a reliable and ambitious partner to Leverkusen fans through similar promotional events as at the game against Union Berlin.
Show moreBayer 04 involvement with the ‘Kältegang Leverkusen’ project continues this winter. The current Bundesliga league leaders and their fans again presented financial and in-kind donations to the homeless charity at home game against Borussia Dortmund (1-1).
Show moreThe Werkself remain unbeaten after the 1-1 draw with Borussia Dortmund on Bundesliga Matchday 13. The one-sided game demanded a lot of strength of nerve and competitive spirit from Xabi Alonso's team. In the end, Victor Boniface rewarded the relentless attacking efforts of the league leaders against passive but efficient visitors. The Werkself review.
Show moreBayer 04 were held to a 1-1 draw by Borussia Dortmund on Matchday 13 in the Bundesliga. Julian Ryerson had put the visitors in front at a sold-out BayArena after only five minutes. Leverkusen would go on to dominate proceedings and finally get their deserved equaliser through Victor Boniface in the 79th minute. It’s a result that extends the Werkself’s unbeaten run in all competitions this season to 20 matches.
Show moreFor the 17th time, Bayer 04 Sportförderung gGmbH has awarded the Volunteers Award for outstanding commitment to football in Leverkusen and the surrounding region. The three outstanding clubs in 2023 are BSV Roleber 1919, TuS 05 Oberpleis and SV 1924 Glehn. They will each receive prize money of €5,000.
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