Back
10.01.2020Bayer 04

Palacios makes debut in 3-2 win against St. Gallen

At the end of the training camp in La Manga, the Werkself beat Swiss top-flight side FC St. Gallen 3-2 in the second of two friendlies. Before that, the Black and Reds ‘A’ team suffered a narrow 4-3 defeat against Dutch first division side FC Utrecht.
20200110_schueler_b04_fcsg_Tag6_356.jpg

With Sven Bender rested due to a thigh injury picked up in yesterday's training session, the U19 youngster Fabian Rüth came into the starting line-up against the Swiss side to play alongside Aleksandar Dragovic in the centre of defence. Winter signing Exequiel Palacios made his debut for Leverkusen and he impressed in central midfield in his first outing.

Alario levels at 1-1

The top-flight Swiss team were on the front foot from the start, pressed early and closed down space for the Werkself. After a goal from Ermedin Demirovic was ruled offside on three minutes, the St. Gallen striker netted the opener soon after that: He beat the reserve keeper Ramazan Özcan from a tight angle to make it 1-0 for the Swiss. It did not take long for the Werkself to reply – the FCSG keeper Shamal George first kept out Kerem Demirbay. Leon Bailey went one better on 29 minutes: A fine pass from Lucas Alario was laid off into the box by Joel Pohjanpalo and Bailey scored with a backheel on the turn – for the deserved equaliser at 1-1.

Just three minutes later, St. Gallen exploited the Werkself losing possession in midfield. Again it was Demirovic who found the back of the net with a long-range effort putting the team currently lying third in the Swiss League 2-1 up (32'). There was no change the scoreline before half-time

Pohjanpalo and Alario turn the game round

Niklas Lomb replaced Özcan in goal for the second 45, St. Gallen shuffled their pack with ten changes. The Peter Bosz team succeeded going forward and created several good chances. Pohjanpalo rewarded the attacking efforts of the Black and Reds on 58 minutes: A corner from Demirbay saw 'Danger' head the ball against the post before he reacted instantly to put the rebound in the back of the net. Alario then made it 3-2 eleven minutes later when he converted a precise pass from Mitchell Weiser.

The Werkself remained on top but were unable to prevent one or two counter-attacks from the Swiss side. That gave Lomb chance to show what he could do: After losing the ball going forwards, the number 36 pulled off a reaction save to deny former Bundesliga player Lucas Görtler and later he was on his toes to keep out a shot from Cedric Itten. The match ended in the first win in the New Year for the Werkself – one week ahead of the first game of the second half of the season at SC Paderborn – a successful end to the winter training camp in La Manga.

‘That really brings the team on'

"They weren't friendlies today. There were more of a test as you could see. Even if we always want to win, results are not the most important thing in these games. It's important that nearly everybody gets 90 minutes on the pitch as that really brings the team on," said Peter Bosz after the two matches. "They were different opponents today. I saw some good things in both games but also things we need to do better. For example, in terms of covering back as we gave away goals too easily."

Match stats:

Bayer 04: Özcan (Lomb 46’) – Weiser (Gädicke 79’), Rüth, Dragovic, Wendell – Demirbay, Palacios – Bailey, Azhil, Pohjanpalo (Stanilewicz 69’) – Alario
FC St. Gallen: George – Kräuchi (Hefti 46’), Stergiou (Alves 46’), Fazliji (Ajeti 46’), Muheim (Rüfli 46’) – Quintilla (Campos 71’) – Staubli (Solimando 46’), Guillemenot (Ribeiro), Ruiz (Görtler 46’) – Demirovic (Bakayoko 46’), Babic (Itten 46’)

Goals: 01 Demirovic (12’), 1-1 Bailey (29’), 1-2 Demirovic (32’), 2-2 Pohjanpalo (59’), 3-2 Alario (69’)

Booked: Palacios, Alario / Quintilla

 

Related News

BVB
Bundesliga - 11.05.2025

Our next opponents: On course for a happy ending

A few weeks ago Borussia Dortmund were marooned in mid-table mediocrity in the Bundesliga. Then the Black and Yellows started a run that overcame all comers. And suddenly a Champions League spot was again within reach. BVB will be looking to take the next step towards the big target at the BayArena on Sunday, 11 May (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). Coach Niko Kovac has almost his full squad available. The lowdown on our next opponents.

Show more
Janou Levels im Duell mit Cornelia Kramer
Women - 10.05.2025

Bayer 04 Women end season with chance to play “freely and bravely” at Wolfsburg

Bayer 04 Women end their record-breaking season away at Wolfsburg on Sunday (kick-off: 2pm CEST). Although the Werkself know they will finish the campaign in fourth for their best-ever finish, head coach Roberto Pätzold has called on his team to produce one final big result.

Show more
Caroline Kehrer
Women - 10.05.2025

Caroline Kehrer and Charlotte Voll out injured

Bayer 04 Women will be without Caroline Kehrer and Charlotte Voll for the remainder of the season. Striker Kehrer suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee during training, while goalkeeper Voll tore the syndesmosis in her right foot.

Show more
FC25_TOTS_Bundesliga_Motif_DesignTemp_16x9.jpg
Bayer 04 - 09.05.2025

Numerous Bayer 04 players in 2024/25 Team of the Season

Bayer 04 are again strongly represented in this year's Bundesliga Team of the Season from the games manufacturer EA Sports. Five Werkself players have been voted into the top XI for the 2024/25 season, a duo from the Bayer 04 Women's team are in the female Bundesliga TOTS. Bayer 04 were well represented last season with six male players in the top eleven, the most players from one club.

Show more
Xabi Alonso
Bayer 04 - 09.05.2025

Xabi Alonso to leave Bayer 04 at the end of the season

Bayer 04 Leverkusen and head coach Xabi Alonso will part company after more than two and half years together. The champions of Germany, DFB Pokal and Supercup winners of 2024 have met the wish of the Spaniard to terminate his contract, originally due to run to the summer of 2026, after the end of this season. Bayer 04 will announce the successor as head coach at the appropriate time.

Show more