Back
7.11.2022Bundesliga

Werkself review #B04FCU: 'Impressive efficiency'

Bayer 04 secured a home win against the Irons with the fans behind them on Bundesliga matchday 13. The Werkself beat Union Berlin 5-0 after an uneventful first half thanks to an impressive performance after the restart. The Werkself review…
crop_20221106_JS_B04_FCU_2269.jpg

Summary: Set-piece opens the floodgates

Both teams started the game with a focus on defence with Union Berlin remaining compact in their own half as the game progressed. The Werkself had more possession and endeavoured to get on the front foot but rarely broke through to the FCU goal in an uneventful first half – but that changed after half-time. Robert Andrich gave the hosts the lead from the first corner of the game and that opened the floodgates: First, Moussa Diaby netted a brace within two minutes to make it 3-0 (56', 58') and then Adam Hlozek (68') and Mitchel Bakker (76') sealed an emphatic 5-0 win in front of a full house at the BayArena with some at times impressive passing football. HERE is the match report.

Reaction: "Carry on in exactly the same way"

At the post-match press conference, Xabi Alonso analysed the first 45 minutes as follows: "The first half was very tight, both sides didn't have many chances and it wasn't easy to attack. Union are at the top of the table for a reason." And the Spanish coach also summed up the second half "We wanted to remain focused after half-time. We had more space, our players were able to make long runs and the finishing was very good. We are very happy today." Talking about the forthcoming challenges, Alonso said: We want to carry on in exactly the same way. We need this mentality to attack, score goals and remain hungry."

Goalscorer Robert Andrich was also relieved talking to Werkself TV: "We are happy. It was a tough game in the first half, we couldn’t make the breakthrough up front but we didn't give anything away. Therefore, it was totally important to remain clear and not lose our heads. We succeeded in doing that." Nadiem Amiri turned his attention to the forthcoming derby at FC Köln: "Looking at the scoreboard makes me happy but not looking at the table. So we can enjoy today but tomorrow it's all about preparing for the most important game of the year."

 

crop_20221106_JS_B04_FCU_1768.jpg

Personnel: All goalscorers in starting line-up

Xabi Alonso had to manage without Patrik Schick against the Irons due to a groin problem. The same applied to Charles Aránguiz (calf), Paulinho (illness), Sardar Azmoun (rehab) and Florian Wirtz. Alonso also rotated making four changes to the line-up for the 0-0 home draw against Club Brugge in the Champions League. All the goalscorers in the match - Andrich, Bakker, Diaby and Hlozek - started the game.

And there was also good news away from the pitch: The presentation of the 2022 Bayer 04 Volunteering Award took place at half-time. There were three winners this year: SV Schlebusch and Vorwärts Spoho from the Middle Rhine Football Association (FVM) and DJK Rheinkraft Neuss from the Lower Rhine Football Association (FVN). The clubs all received a prize in the sum of €5,000.

Stats: Numbers favour the winners

A look at the numbers in the game also showed the superiority of the Black and Reds: Leverkusen had the upper hand in terms of possession (58%). The Black and Reds also won the majority (55%) of challenges. The Werkself pass completion rate was 84% with the Irons having 80%. The Werkself had eleven shots on goal – FCU had seven.

crop_20221106_NB_B04_Vs_Union_Berlin_55203.jpg

What the papers say: The "ketchup bottle principle"

The Rheinische Post headline reads "Bayer play like a different team", the Süddeutsche Zeitung chose the metaphor of the "ketchup bottle principle", and the Kölnische Rundschau describes the events in the second half as a "45-minute Bayer gala performance." The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger describes the match as follows: "It was astonishing on matchday 13: After a difficult to explain period of play, Bayer 04 swept aside the previous league leaders FC Union with a 5-0 win and, thanks to impressive efficiency in the second half, gave themselves some breathing space."

Outlook: Derby and last league game of the year

The Werkself are away to FC Köln in the derby on Wednesday 9 November. The match at the Rheinenergie Stadium kicks off at 18.30 CET. The team from Cologne lost 2-0 to SC Freiburg at the weekend and are now twelfth in the table. Due to the World Cup, that will be followed by the final Bundesliga matchday of the calendar year. VfB Stuttgart visit the BayArena on Saturday 12 November. The match kicks off at 15.30 CET.

Related News

crop_20231203_NBA_7200.jpg
DFB-Pokal - 06.12.2023

Matchday news #B04SCP: Quarter-finals the goal

The Werkself host Paderborn in the DFB-Pokal round of 16 today, Wednesday 6 December (18:00 CET) at the BayArena. Here’s all the latest information ahead of the cup clash with the Bundesliga 2 club.

Show more
crop_20231021_JS1_0984.jpg
Bayer 04 - 06.12.2023

Vote for Grimaldo or Frimpong in Bundesliga’s Player of the Month!

The Bundesliga has announced its nominees for November’s Player of the Month, with two Werkself players up for the award in Alejandro Grimaldo and Jeremie Frimpong. Fans can now vote for who they want to win.

Show more
crop_DSC_5311.jpg
Bayer 04 - 06.12.2023

Fans under the Cross: No journey too far

Next year marks Bayer 04’s 120th birthday. To celebrate the occasion, we would like to take the opportunity, today and in the next few months, to regularly look at football under the Cross on bayer04.de and primarily delve into the question of: How have we become the club we are today? Part two of our series looks at our fans. Werkself supporters are enjoying this season like never before, providing incredible support both home and away.

Show more
crop_20231112_JS2_6928.jpg
Bayer 04 - 06.12.2023

Vote for Boniface for the Bundesliga Rookie of the Month for November!

The Bundesliga has named the three nominees for November’s Rookie of the Month award. Werkself striker Victor Boniface, who has won the trophy in August, September and October, is once again up for the award. Fans have the chance to pick the winner by casting their votes online.

Show more