The game was part of the traditional 'Trofeo Naranja', a summer tournament staged by the hosts, and it proved to be a tough test for the Werkself ahead of next Saturday's first competitive match of the new season in the DFB Cup.
Heiko Herrlich had to manage in Valencia without Lukas Hradecky (rehab after jaw operation), Panos Retsos (thigh ligament strain), Joel Pohjanpalo (circulation problems in right ankle), Karim Bellarabi (cruciate) plus Charles Aránguiz and Leon Bailey. The last two have completed individual training sessions this week on their way back from knee and shoulder problems but the trip to Valencia came too early.
Both teams played at a fair tempo in front of a crowd of 40,000 in temperatures of around 30 degrees. The Werkself keeper Rambo Özcan shone for the first time after just six minutes when he pulled off a great save to keep out a header by Kondogbia. The first chance for Bayer 04 came a minute later with an initial effort from Kevin Volland - his left-foot shot from 18 yards out went just wide of the target.
Valencia gradually gained the upper hand and the next decent chance fell to Soler but Wendell was able to make the block on 23 minutes. Five minutes later, the 'Blanquinegros' - fourth in La Liga last season - took the lead through Santi Mina who turned the ball into the far corner of the net after a back-heel from Garay - there was nothing Özcan could do. With the lead under their belt, the hosts dominated proceedings and with 36 minutes gone they doubled the lead through Rodrigo as he exploited a misunderstanding between Özcan and his fellow defenders.
Julian Brandt did have a good opportunity to score but his free kick from the left of the box went wide of the left upright on 43 minutes. Valencia took a 2-0 lead into the break.
Bayer 04 clearly played with greater intensity after the restart, putting in more robust challenges and applying more pressure up front. The Werkself now had much more possession. Kai Havertz (52') and Brandt (56') tested the Valencia substitute goalkeeper Neto with shots from distance, and the Spanish keeper also denied Volland when he saved a free kick from the striker on 62 minutes.
The hosts conceded space to the Werkself but Bayer 04 rarely threatened in the final third. Heiko Herrlich made five changes at the break including the introduction of Isaac Kiese Thelin, the Swedish striker signed this week. However, the Werkself were unable to create any further chances. The hosts sealed the victory with four minutes to play with a headed goal from Lee making it 3-0.
Bayer 04 have the first competitive game of the new season on Saturday 18 August. The Werkself are away in the DFB Cup at Baden-Württemberg Oberliga side CfR Pforzheim.
FC Valencia: Jaume (Neto 46')- Piccini (Lee 76'), Garay (Ruben Vezo 65'), Paulista (Diakhaby 46'), Gaya (Lato 65')- Soler (Murillo 78'), Parejo, Kondogbia (Ferran Torres 35'), Wass (Racic 83')- Rodrigo (Escobar 83'), Santi Mina (Zaza 65').
Bayer 04: Özcan - Weiser (Henrichs 71'), Tah, S. Bender (Dragovic 71'), Wendell - Baumgartlinger, L. Bender (Kohr 65')- Volland, Havertz (Kiese Thelin 71'), Brandt (Paulinho 65') - Alario.
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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