Werkself beat Bochum 2-0 in first home game of 2023

In the first home game of 2023, head coach Xabi Alonso opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation. The Spaniard made four changes to the starting eleven from the 3-2 away win at Borussia Mönchengladbach: In defence, Jonathan Tah started in place of Odilon Kossounou, Nadiem Amiri replaced Exequiel Palacios in midfield and Mitchel Bakker made way for Callum Hudson-Odoi on the wing. After making his return to league action last week, Florian Wirtz was on the pitch from the kick-off for the first time since recovering from injury. Amine Adli dropped down to the bench.

frenetic start and goal from penalty spot

The match got off to a frenetic start. Both teams were determined to get up the pitch. Above all, Leverkusen started with a high tempo in the first match on home turf this year and succeeded in creating several chances on the break – above all through lightning pace on the right. Moussa Diaby cut inside into the Bochum penalty area after just five minutes. The Frenchman was brought down by Keven Schlotterbeck. Referee Timo Gerach initially let play continue but VAR intervened. After assessing the video images, the referee correctly awarded a penalty. Edmond Tapsoba stepped up to fire his shot under the bar to make it 1-0. A reward for the early pressing of his team on eight minutes.

The players under coach Thomas Letsch were not affected by the early goal conceded and they went on to create some good goalscoring opportunities. The best chance for VfL up to that point fell to Takuma Asano on nine minutes: Piero Hincapie was unable to control the ball in the penalty area and it ended up with the Japan international but keeper Lukas Hradecky was able to make the save. A rebound off Hincapie to Asano was cleared off the line by the Ecuadorian.

Five minutes after the opening goal, Diaby went on a solo run after possession was one in the Leverkusen half. The Werkself number 19 put the ball in the back of the net but referee Gerach and his fellow officials awarded a free kick for offside in the build-up. The Black and Reds and continued to press for the second goal but were unsuccessful before half-time. The Werkself took a 1-0 lead into the break.

Wirtz sets up hlozek for second goal

Less than ten minutes into the second half, to be exact eight minutes again as in the first 45, Robert Andrich won the ball outside the opposition penalty area and laid it off to Florian Wirtz on the left. The Werkself number 27 hit a low cross from the byline into the middle where Adam Hlozek was at the near post and he was able to put the ball through the legs of keeper Manuel Riemann to extend the lead at 2-0 (53').

The hosts looked to increase their advantage with the best chances coming from Jonathan Tah with a header (56') and the once again impressive Amine Adli with a shot from a tight angle (90+3'). The visitors refused to give up and continued to look to get back into the game. A misunderstanding between Hincapie and Tah on 69 minutes with neither defender winning the ball saw it end up with VfL winger Christopher Antwi-Adjei but his effort was kept out by the captain Hradecky.

The rest of the match was dominated by numerous challenges and interruptions. There were no clear-cut chances for either side as both teams lacked accuracy with finishing or the final ball. The game ended in a 2-0 home win with Lukas Hradecky and Co. making it five wins on the bounce.

Home game against BVB

The Werkself have their only open training session of the week tomorrow (Thursday 26 January) on training pitches one and two from 15.00 CET. Training sessions on the following days are behind closed doors. The Werkself do not have much time before the next game on Bundesliga matchday 18 on Sunday 29 January. The Black and Reds are at home to Borussia Dortmund at the BayArena. The kick-off is at 17.30 CET.

Match stats:

Bayer 04: Hradecky – Frimpong (Bellarabi 86'), Tah, Tapsoba, Hincapie – Andrich, Amiri – Diaby (Kossounou 79’), Wirtz (Azmoun 71’), Hudson-Odoi (Adli 46') – Hlozek (Palacios 86')

VfL Bochum: Riemann – Janko (Osei-Tutu 70'), Lampropoulos, Schlotterbeck, Soares (Holtmann 82’) – Losilla (Kunde Malong 82’), Masovic – Asano (Förster 70'), Stöger, Antwi-Adjei (Ganvoula 70') – Hofmann

Goals: 1-0 Tapsoba (8’), 2-0 Hlozek (53’)

Booked: Diaby, Andrich, Alonso (coach) – Soares, Masovic, Osei-Tutu, Lampropoulos

Referee: Timo Gerach (Landau-Queichheim)

Attendance: 27,820 at the BayArena