Back
18.11.2016Bundesliga

The Werkself lose lead twice in 3-2 defeat

A bitter blow. In spite of taking the lead twice, the Werkself were unable to extend their recent successful run. Against the surprise team of the moment RB Leipzig, Bayer 04 end up losing by the odd goal in five due, in part, to a penalty miss from Hakan Calhanoglu and a mistake by Germany keeper Bernd Leno.
© Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fussball GmbH

Roger Schmidt made three changes from the side that played Darmstadt for the visit of the unbeaten Bundesliga newcomers: Charles Aránguiz and Kevin Kampl returned from injury in place of Kai Havertz and Hakan Calhanoglu in midfield. The latter replaced Chicharito in attack as the Mexican had only just returned from international duty. Skipper Lars Bender was ruled out of the squad with a foot injury and Stefan Kießling and Tin Jedvaj were sidelined with muscle problems.

Kevin Kampl scores in first minute

The Bayer 04 fans had reason to celebrate soon after the kick-off: Calhanoglu picked out Julian Brandt on the left wing and he crossed to the far post for the unmarked Kampl to turn the ball in the back of the net to open the scoring for the hosts. Less than three minutes later elation turned into disappointment: A corner for the visitors ended up with the scores level at 1-1 as Julian Baumgartlinger was unfortunate to deflect the ball with his hip past the helpless Leno.

Anyone who thought the game might calm down after that was mistaken. Both teams refused to give any ground as a midfield battle ensued with the two sides looking to play on the break from a solid defence. There was end to end action for half an hour but the 27,752 crowd at the BayArena did not see any clear cut goalscoring opportunities. That was also due to the fact the game failed to flow as niggles and fouls again and again interrupted play.

Brandt put the Werkself back into the lead in added time at the end of the first half. Kampl picked out Calhanoglu on the left flank and his wonderful pass found Brandt on the edge of the opposition box. The fair-haired striker broke into the penalty area and coolly put the ball into the back of the net. Bayer 04 went into the half-time break with a 2-1 lead.

Gulasci saves Calhanoglu penalty

The Werkself had the upper hand after the restart and with 54 minutes on the clock they had a good chance to go 3-1 up. However, the RB keeper Peter Gulacsi saved the spot-kick from Calhanoglu to keep his side in the game. The penalty was awarded when a counter-attack ended with Brandt being brought down in the box by Leipzig full-back Stefan Ilsanker – referee Dr Felix Brych instantly pointed to the spot.

The Werkself were deflated in contrast to the surprise team from Leipzig who grew in strength and became more dominant. Bayer 04's bad luck continued on 67 minutes when the unfortunate Leno was unable to keep out a swirling shot from Leipzig's Emil Forsberg. At the other end, Bayer 04 missed the chance to take the lead again on 69 minutes when a volley from Baumgartlinger was saved by Gulacsi.

Orban's header seals Bayer 04 04 fate

Spurred on by the momentum, the visitors wanted more and they pressed forward with Naby Keita (66') and Timo Werner (72') having good chances that Leno was able to keep out. His luck then ran out. A cross from the right by Forsberg found the RB captain Willi Orban in exactly the right spot to head the ball back past Leno to make it 3-2 on 81 minutes.

The hosts pressed forward in search of a leveller but without success. The match ended in a disappointing 3-2 home defeat.

Schmidt's team are now mid-table with 16 points from 11 games. The next game is on Tuesday (18.00 CET) in the Champions League away to CSKA Moscow and that is followed on Saturday (18.30 CET) by the Bundesliga top match away to FC Bayern Munich.

Match stats

Bayer 04: Leno - Henrichs, Tah, Toprak, Wendell - Baumgartlinger (Havertz 82’), Aránguiz - Brandt, Kampl - Calhanoglu (Volland 64’), Mehmedi (Chicharito 74’)

RB Leipzig: Gulacsi - Ilsanker, Orban, Compper (Schmitz 30’), Halstenberg - Demme, Keita - Sabitzer, Forsberg (Burke 90’) - Werner, Poulsen (Kaiser 64’)

Goals: 1-0 Kampl (1’), 1-1 Baumgartlinger (4’ o.g.), 2-1 Brandt (45’), 2-2 Forsberg (67’), 2-3 Orban (81’)

Key incident: Gulacsi saves penalty from Calhanoglu (54’)

Booked: Toprak - Orban, Ilsanker, Keita

Referee: Dr. Felix Brych (Munich)

Attendance: 27,752

© Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fussball GmbH

Related News

Julia Mickenhagen und Cornelia Kramer
Women - 27.05.2025

Nations League and U23s: Six Leverkusen players on international duty

While most of the players from the Bayer 04 Women's Bundesliga squad are enjoying their summer break, four players are again away on international duty. Three of them are in action in the UEFA Women's Nations League and three are away with Germany junior teams.

Show more
Trainer
Bayer 04 - 26.05.2025

Erik ten Hag is new Bayer 04 head coach

Bayer 04 have appointed Erik ten Hag as the new head coach. The 55-year-old Dutch coach has signed a contract to 30 June 2027. Ten Hag, who last worked in the Premier League as the head coach at Manchester United where he won the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024, will start at Bayer 04 on 1 July in preparation for the 2025/26 season.

Show more
Erik ten Hag in Leverkusen
Bayer 04 - 26.05.2025

Experienced trophy collector: Profile of Bayer 04 coach Erik ten Hag

Welcome, Erik ten Hag! Bayer 04 have appointed the 55-year-old Dutchman as the new head coach on a contract to 30 June 2027. Bayer04.de provides a closer introduction to ten Hag who recently coached the English club Manchester United and above all had great success at Ajax.

Show more
Bayer 04
Bayer 04 - 24.05.2025

2024/25 season review part II: From title dreams to goodbye tears

Bayer 04 were in the Bundesliga title race well into spring and also progressed to the latter stages of the DFB Pokal. Ultimately, the team were unable to defend either title, but the Werkself did set a new Bundesliga record in their final game of the season, having bid an emotional farewell to Xabi Alonso and Jonathan Tah at the BayArena the previous week. It was the end of an era, as bayer04.de looks back on the 2024/25 season, with part two looking at January through to May.

Show more
Bayer 04
Bayer 04 - 23.05.2025

2024/25 season review, part I: High expectations of invincible double winners

With the clash at Mainz 05 on the 34th and final matchday of the 2024/25 Bundesliga, another eventful season came to an end. The Werkself finished as runners-up in second place and can be proud of the joint third-best points tally in the club's history. Bayer04.de takes a look back - firstly at the period from the summer until the end of the year, in which the Werkself had to deal with high expectations and fluctuated between impressive performances, squandered leads and absolute top form.

Show more