#FCAB04 review: Top of the league and other high points

summary: Efficient starters

This team has no time to lose: After the Werkself took a 2-0 lead after eight minutes in the game against Borussia Mönchengladbach, they also secured an early double blow at FC Augsburg with own goals from Iago (3') and Niederlechner (14'). Niederlechner's goal on the half-hour mark and a stronger Augsburg phase after the half-time break were countered by Leverkusen with goals from Patrik Schick (75’) and Florian Wirtz (81’). HERE is the match report.

reaction: "Variable and versatile"

It is always good to go into the first international break of the season on the back of a win like that. "Compliments to the team for their spirit" was the view of coach Gerardo Seoane and he added after the game at the WWK Arena: "We got stuck into challenges and our transition play was good. Fortune was on our side with the two own goals. In the second half we were able to bring on quality and that helped us."

And comments from Bayer 04 players also spoke volumes. "I'd be happy to play the next game on Tuesday or Wednesday," said Kerem Demirbay, who praised the "variable and versatile" performance of the team. Jeremie Frimpong conveyed this message on social media: “Nice way to head into the break!”

Personnel: Schick in der Gunst der Fans vorn

Werkself supporters were pretty unanimous in their vote for Man of the Match: Over 1,100 people on Twitter took part in the vote that saw Patrik Schick race ahead: The scorer of the important goal for 3-1, who also hit the bar and played an important part in the opening goal, picked up 44% of the votes. That put him ahead of Florian Wirtz (24%), Jeremie Frimpong (16%) and Kerem Demirbay (15%).

At the age of 18 years, three months and 25 days, Florian Wirtz is the youngest player in the history the Bundesliga to score seven goals. Wirtz, just called up to Germany squad by coach Hansi Flick, takes over from the previous record holder Timo Werner.

Stats: level and far apart

The clash at Augsburg is similar to the previous match against Borussia Mönchengladbach in terms of numbers: Some statistics show a balanced game but with the most crucial factor, the number of goals scored, the Werkself were clearly ahead. This time both teams were identical in terms of shots on goal (14:14) as well as in the number of challenges (50 per cent). The Werkself were on top in terms of possession (58:42 per cent) as well as the pass completion rate (85:78 per cent).

what the papers say: "A half full of curiosities"

In the online edition of the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger attention is drawn to a run of unbeaten matches without equal: "Bayer 04 were able to extend an impressive run against Augsburg with not one defeat in the 21 Bundesliga meetings to date." Also the best return in the league are the five goals scored by Leverkusen in the opening 15 minutes. The Kicker chose the following outline for their online report: "Bayer sink FCA" and they witnessed an "extremely entertaining match." The Rheinische Post assessment of the first half in their online edition was "a half full of curiosities and high points" and they talked about "slapstick on the pitch" with the two Augsburg own goals plus the failed attempt to clear by Mitchel Bakker ahead of the goal making it 2-1.

outlook: Next big match in the west against BVB

After the first home game against Gladbach, the second match for the Werkself at the BayArena brings another big match in the west: Bayer 04 entertain Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, 11 September with the kick-off at 15.30 CEST. The team under new coach Marco Rose started with home wins against Eintracht Frankfurt (5-2) and, on Friday, against TSG Hoffenheim (3-2) but they lost out on matchday two away to SC Freiburg (1-2). An attacking encounter between B04 and BVB would not be much of a surprise as both teams joined Bayern Munich as the most prolific teams in the league with nine goals from three games.