Back
28.10.2017Bundesliga

Werkself fight back to win derby 2-1

5-1 at Gladbach, 4-1 in the DFB Cup against Union Berlin and now a 2-1 derby win – a successful week of three games ends on a high. The Werkself came back from being a goal down at half-time against FC Köln to win the game with goals from Leon Bailey (53') and Sven Bender (73'). Sehrou Guirassy opened the scoring for the visitors on 22 minutes.A third goal for Leverkusen from Kevin Volland on 85 minutes was ruled out by referee Manuel Gräfe after consulting video evidence.
Sven_Bender_Torjubel_Alario_Baumgartlinger.jpg

"I'm over the moon," said Heiko Herrlich, "the team performance was very good. We dominated the first half and took control after the equaliser“ The Bayer 04 head coach commented on the irritation surrounding the ruling out of the third Werkself goal netted by Kevin Volland: "It took a long time before the goal making it 3-1 was chalked off."

Sven Bender and Kevin Volland returned from injury in time to play  in the 61st Bundesliga derby against the rivals from Cologne but the Werkself skipper Lars Bender did not make the squad. Charles Aránguiz and Julian Baumgartlinger played in defensive midfield, Panos Retsos again played at right-back with Lucas Alario starting on the bench, Kai Havertz played behind and alongside Volland in an advanced midfield role with Leon Bailey on the right and Julian Brandt on the left flanks.

GREAT FAN CHOREOGRAPHY

The Bayer 04 fans in the North Stand helped to boost the atmosphere ahead of kick-off with an impressive choreography  in red, black and white. And the action on the pitch was equally exciting with the Werkself winning the first corner on 36 seconds. The determined hosts were camped in the FC Köln half and they started at a great tempo and were confident on the ball. Volland volleyed his first chance over the bar on eight minutes. The first time FC Köln attacked  Bernd Leno's goal came when Leonardo Bittencourt broke into the box from the touchline on eleven minutes. Köln, playing a 4-4-2 formation, looked to press early and they took the lead when Bayer 04  were outfoxed by a long throw: Guirassy turned Jonathan Tah in the six-yard box and tucked his shot into net to make it 1-0 on 22 minutes. Leno stood no chance even though the ball crept over the line.

There was a great chance to level on the half-hour mark: Wendell played a one-two with Julian Brandt and the cross from the Brazilian was met by Havertz with a shot to near post but Dominique Heintz cleared the shot away for a corner on 32 minutes. Bayer 04 were determined but found it hard to break through a well organised FC defence. Sven Bender did well just before the break to keep out a shot from Simon Zoller on 45 minutes. FC Köln went into the half-time  break 1-0 up.

Bailey ROUNDS Horn

Heiko Herrlich reacted by making two changes at the break bringing on Alario and Benny Henrichs in place of Havertz and Retsos. The Argentinean was involved in the leveler when he passed to Volland who put Leon Bailey through with a great pass and the winger rounded  the Köln keeper Horn before tucking the ball into the back of the net – 1-1, great work from the two Werkself left footers and the third Bundesliga goal for the Jamaican on 53 minutes.

Bayer 04 had their tails up with Aránguiz playing a pivotal role in many of the attacks. And Bailey was also involved in the next outstanding move when he beat Heintz on the  dead ball line before  aiming for the near post but Horn was able to save with his foot on 65 minutes. The Köln keeper also saved  an effort from Brandt on 76 minutes but the Werkself upped the pressure as they went in search of the lead. At the other end, Leno turned a shot from the substitute, and former Bayer 04 youth player, Tim Handwerker, over the bar on 70 minutes. Alario, who scored in the last three home games,  forced his way into the box  but his shot on 72 minutes was blocked.

Sven Bender LIKE A STRIKER

Bayer 04 were finally rewarded for their efforts on 73 minutes. Tah met a corner with his head and Sven Bender finished like a striker to make it 2-1 on 73 minutes – the Werkself turned the game round and the BayArena rocked. And Bender, who also scored at Gladbach,  tested Horn again with a header to the near post on 78 minutes.

The hosts now controlled proceedings , moving the ball well and making the opponents run and it looked like the result was settled after a  great counter attack: Brandt put Bailey through and his pass was converted by Volland to make it 3-1 on 85 minutes. Or so everybody thought – but the referee Gräfe activated the video review and ruled out the strike for a handball in the build-up by Bailey. There were four minutes of added time but Köln did not have another chance. The final whistle – and massive celebrations at the BayArena.

Bayer 04 are away to FC Augsburg on matchday eleven  on Saturday 4 November at 15.30 CET.

Match stats:

Bayer 04: Leno – Retsos (Henrichs 46'), Tah, S. Bender, Wendell – Aránguiz, Baumgartlinger – Bailey (Kohr 89'), Havertz (Alario 46.'), Brandt – Volland

FC Köln: T. Horn – Sörensen, Maroh (Klünter 46'), Heintz, J. Horn – Osako (Handwerker 64'), Lehmann (Jojic 77'), Özcan, Bittencourt – Zoller, Guirassy

Goals: 0-1 Guirassy (22'), 1-1 Bailey (53'), 2-1 Sven Bender (73')
Referee: Gräfe (Berlin)

Booked: Baumgartlinger, Wendell, Alario – Zoller, Bittencourt

Attendance: 30,210

Related News

Begegnungslogo
Bayer 04 - 02.07.2025

Tickets for the friendly at Chelsea

The Werkself are away to Premier League club Chelsea in the final pre-season friendly. The game against the current holders of the UEFA Conference League is on Friday, 8 August at Stamford Bridge with the kick-off at 20:00 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales.

Show more
Begegnungslogo
Bayer 04 - 02.07.2025

Tickets for the friendly at Fortuna Sittard

The Werkself are away to Dutch top-flight club Fortuna Sittard in the third pre-season friendly. The match is on Friday, 1 August at the Fortuna Sittard stadium with the kick-off at 19:00 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales.

Show more
Begegnungslogo
Bayer 04 - 02.07.2025

Tickets for the friendly at VfL Bochum

The Werkself are away to VfL Bochum in the second pre-season friendly. The match is on Sunday, 27 July at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion with the kick-off at 18:00 CEST. Read on for the latest information on ticket sales.

Show more
Bayer 04
Bayer 04 - 02.07.2025

U21 Euros winner Jarell Quansah joins Bayer 04 from Liverpool

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed the England U21 international and European champion Jarell Quansah. The central defender joins Leverkusen from Premier League champions Liverpool on a contract to 30 June 2030.

Show more
Bayer 04
Bayer 04 - 01.07.2025

New chapter – same fire: Bayer 04 and New Balance present 2025/26 home jersey

A striking look and innovative design as an expression of a forward-looking partnership: With the official presentation of the current home jersey, Bayer 04 Leverkusen and sports equipment manufacturer New Balance start a new era in tandem. For the first partnership with a professional German club, the American company from Boston, Massachusetts has developed a creative new interpretation of the Leverkusen club colours. A row of red lines, made up of slender crosses, merges into a black background. Inspired by the world famous Bayer Cross, the jersey is a symbol of a new beginning without forgetting historical roots.

Show more