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.
Season tickets for the Werkself home matches in the new Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga season are now on general sale. The season ticket is valid for all 13 matches at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The first home match will be played between 28 and 31 August against the runners-up, VfL Wolfsburg, followed by the clash with the German champions, Bayern Munich, between 11 and 14 September.
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A new team, a new environment, a new challenge—and yet one thing remains the same for Afonso Moreira: his attitude. Total dedication, discipline, and the drive to improve every day have defined the Portuguese player since his early days at Sporting CP. “Even back then, I realized I had to work hard to achieve my goals,” said the 21-year-old. His parents also instilled those values in him from a young age. Values that have driven him ever since, accompanied him to France when he signed for Lyon, and now also form the foundation for his new chapter at Bayer 04. At a media session, the lightning-fast winger spoke about his values, as well as his new teammates, the new coach, and his targets at the club.
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Former Bundesliga and Germany keeper Manfred Manglitz, who was promoted to the Oberliga West with Bayer 04 in 1962, passed away on Monday at the age of 86.
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Justine Brandau and Lobke Loonen joined the Bayer 04 Women’s squad in quick succession this summer. The two Dutch players have been friends since their youth days, and are now playing for the same club for the first time. In an interview at the training camp in Rieden, Brandau and Loonen talk, amongst other things, about their experiences as opponents in the Vrouwen Eredivisie, the dynamic within their new team and their first few weeks in Leverkusen.
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