The match got off to a slow start with the focus more on defence. The first chances on goal fell to the Werkself players Robert Andrich with a long-range shot on 13 minutes and a header from Edmond Tapsoba ten minutes later. Over the course of the first half, again it was primarily the hosts who created more chances. Probably the best opportunity was a header from striker Patrik Schick four minutes before half-time that went just wide of the target. RB Leipzig increasingly took control of the game in the second half with striker Christopher Nkunku standing out. That was also the case on 69 minutes when the France international broke through on goal only to put his lob past the left upright. Just one minute later it was his teammate Dominik Szoboszlai who broke the deadlock for RB. HERE is the match report.
Good news off the pitch: The Ukrainian youth players, who played a friendly against the Bayer 04 U17 side on Thursday, watched the game from the stands at the BayArena.
Gerardo Seoane was primarily disappointed with the result at the post-match press conference. The Swiss coach was also unhappy with the approach to challenges and frequent loss of possession by his players. Nevertheless, a lot did go right: "We succeeded in stopping this strong attacking side getting into their stride and defended against counter-attacks and our residual defending was also right. In the end it was one mistake too many,” said Seoane.
Midfield dynamo Robert Andrich agreed with the boss’s assessment: "There weren't many attacking moves on either side and that made it clear: Whoever makes the first mistake will lose. We're incredibly disappointed we are conceding such simple goals so often."
Captain Lukas Hradecky clearly laid out the approach to the remaining four games in an interview on DAZN: "We’re in the running for a Champions League spot. We just have to keep going. Everybody has to ask themselves: Do we want to play in the Champions League? The details are in the mind. Everybody's good enough as a player and we also function well as a team."
Gerardo Seoane brought two players into the starting line-up compared with the goalless draw at VfL Bochum – both more of a defensive option: Mitchel Bakker and Exequiel Palacios. In the game against the Red Bulls, Seoane opted for a back five and three holding midfielders. The 43-year-old coach made offensive changes on 73 minutes: Kerem Demirbay for Jonathan Tah and Paulinho for Exequiel Palacios. The Swiss coach brought on two more forwards with ten minutes to play: Robert Andrich was replaced by Lucas Alario and Piero Hincapie made way for Sardar Azmoun.
Andrich and Hincapie each picked up a fifth yellow card and they are therefore suspended for the game away to SpVgg Greuther Fürth.
The numbers from the game also reveal a significant factor for Seoane and Co: While the Werkself had 12 shots on goal in 90 minutes, RB Leipzig only had four shots including the match-winning goal. The Red Bulls were also marginally ahead in terms possession with 54%. And the Leipzig team also came on top in the challenges stats with 64%.
The Rheinische Post sums up the defeat as follows: "The Werkself were in control against RB Leipzig for a long time but made one mistake too many and had to accept a narrow defeat." And kicker shares that view and sees the depth of the RB squad and a mistake by Leverkusen as decisive: "Leverkusen, who were at least on equal terms, did however make the crucial mistake.” The same is in the report by Sport1: "One goal makes the difference."
Next Saturday, 23 April (kick-off: 15.30 CEST), the Werkself are away to SpVgg Greuther Fürth. The team at the bottom of the table last secured a point with a goalless draw away to TSG Hoffenheim. Eintracht Frankfurt are the visitors to the BayArena a week later. The last two matches of the season for the Seoane team are away to TSG Hoffenheim and at home to SC Freiburg on the final matchday.
The Golden Boy Top 100 traditionally lists Europe’s most promising young players. In the latest update, published to mark the start of the new season, four current Werkself players – alongside loanee Francis Onyeka – feature on the list. This means Bayer 04 have the most players in contention of any Bundesliga club.
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Goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe will continue to play for Bayer 04 Leverkusen next season. The loan of the Germany U23 international, who joined from Liverpool in the winter, has been extended by a further year.
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The Bayer 04 delegation, led by Fernando Carro, CEO, concluded their multi-day trip to Brazil with a visit to the community-based organisation Bola Pra Frente in Rio de Janeiro – founded by former Werkself player Jorginho. During the visit, Bayer 04 committed to extending support for the Bola Pra Frente project for a further five years. In addition, Jorginho, a member of the Brazil 1994 World Cup-winning squad, was named Bayer 04’s second official club legend. With the visit to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the club has strengthened the relationships built up over the years in one of Bayer 04’s most important international markets.
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Ten years after retiring as a player, Kristina Sundov is returning to the Bayer 04 Women’s team as assistant coach. The 39-year-old former Croatia international takes over from Remzi Kahraman, who has taken up a new challenge abroad. She has been given a contract to 30 June 2028.
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The training pitches at the BayArena are already buzzing with activity again, even before training officially begins next week. On Monday morning, a small group from the Werkself first-team squad completed a session lasting around an hour. Both new and familiar faces were present.
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