A goal with a back-heel, another in the corner of the net: The visitors from the Kraichgau proved to be creative and determined in front of the Werkself goal. Christoph Baumgartner scored the opener with a back-heel on nine minutes, Andrej Kramaric netted with a header from a yard out before half-time (35'), and a third goal for TSG from the Robert Skov was chalked off after a foul in the build-up thanks to the intervention VAR. Gerardo Seoane made two substitutions for the start of the second half – but the Werkself were unable to find the back of the net yesterday afternoon. The final result of 3-0 came with Georginio Rutter firing a shot into the far corner of the net in the closing stages (78').
Head coach Gerardo Seoane classified the result as "deserved". The team did not perform to their ability. The Swiss coach primarily saw the reasons for defeat in defence: "We gave the opponents too many chances and were unable to stop them because we weren't strong enough in challenges."
Keeper Lukas Hradecky was disappointed talking to Werkself TV: "We're not bringing our quality onto the pitch at the moment." The number one also named a lack of aggression is one of the factors: "At the moment, that gets punished. Now everybody has to accept responsibility and help out. That will be our challenge."
Lukas Hradecky returned in goal after serving a one-match ban and Robert Andrich was in the starting eleven on his return to the squad. The two leading players went to the North Stand after the final whistle to speak to the Black and Red fans. Afterwards there were chants of "Leverkusen! Leverkusen!" from the stands. A powerful sign.
The Werkself had a total of 14 shots on goal and Hoffenheim had four less. Both teams had 50 per cent in challenges won with Robert Andrich and Co. having the upper hand with 55 per cent of tackles made.
The Rheinische Post pointed out an historical fact: "The Champions League participants have lost the first four games of the season for the first time since promotion to the Bundesliga in 1978." The Berliner Morgenpost headline reads, "Sheer sadness rules at Bayer after false start."
After the last two home games, the Werkself are away to Mainz 05 on Saturday 27 August (kick-off: 15.30 CEST). That is followed at the start of September with the home game against SC Freiburg a few days before the first group match in the UEFA Champions League.
Bayer 04 have agreed a loan move for U19s striker Ken Izekor to join Bundesliga 2 club Eintracht Braunschweig on loan for the rest of the 2025/26 season.
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After Leverkusen's eSports team spectacularly won the first showdown in the history of the VBL Club Championship last year, two rather sobering editions followed with two early exits. Now, in Showdown Four, cousins Marc and Sean Landwehr have once again made it into the offline knockout phase. And in this phase, Bochum awaits on Monday, 2 February (live on the VBL's Twitch channel from 16:00 CET). Here's a look at their opponents and what might happen next.
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SAB-P GmbH is to become Bayer 04 Leverkusen's first official inclusion partner. The company, which has previously been involved in the club's Business Club, is underlining its social commitment to inclusion with an agreement that runs until 31 May 2027. Among other things, it will be the shirt sponsor of the Inclusion Team from the 2026/27 season onwards.
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The Werkself were impressive in the 3-1 win against Eintracht Frankfurt with clinical finishing and a first half "at a high level" that head coach Kasper Hjulmand draws a lot of positives from. The same should apply to Arthur, who scored for the first time in the Bundesliga. Edmond Tapsoba, for his part, was happy about his 250th appearance in a Bayer 04 jersey. "I think we're slowly finding our feet again," said goalscorer Malik Tillman, summing up the performance. The Werkself review.
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