What the papers say: 'Advert for much of the game'

The Welt am Sonntag writes: "The home fans saw an attractive game with lots of attacking moves, particularly in the first half. Only the goals were missing. As in this week's game against Juventus, the team under coach Peter Bosz played a fast passing game to penetrate the opposition ranks but the Bayer forwards lacked ideas in the box. Leverkusen found it very difficult in the last third of the pitch with the final pass not reaching its target.… The two teams were inolved in an open game in the closing stages. In the end, the draw was a fair result."

Bosz action effective

The Sunday paper Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung looks at the change of approach by the Werkself after the second substitution: "Both coaches had a lot to criticise at half-time and but it was Bosz who took the right action. In the second half, Bayer no longer played the ball into spaces where Leipzig had set their traps to win possession and they looked considerably more solid. It was a proper game of football without the naïveté of the first half."

Nagelsmann: "Possible red card"

The Bild am Sonntag looks in detail at the incident that led to Charles Aránguiz going off with an injury: "The match was extremely painful for Charles Aránguiz. The provider of the opening goal was carried off just before the final whistle. He again and again covered his face with his hands. The Chilean received a heavy blow to his right foot from Christopher Nkunku (85'). Leverkusen sporting director Rolfes: ' He's really not a softy! With the force that was used it could have been a red card. We like our players to be able to stay fit.' And:' He has to go off if he's kicked him!' RB coach Nagelsmann: ‘It wasn’t pretty. It is a possible red card'…' Incredible: The ref Marco Fritz did not even show a yellow."

Lots of praise for Lukas

The online edition of the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger headline reads ' Bayer did well': "From a Leverkusen perspective in the first half that only applies to the scoreline and goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky. And then the change round at half-time. The whole defence dropped back 20 yards, Kai Havertz played in the middle, the opposition had less space and the constant panic disappeared." Goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky was named man of the match: "Finally, the Finn with Slovakian roots was allowed to do what he's learned so well: Preventing balls going over the line, narrowing angles, throwing himself at advancing opponents. This unnerved Cunha, Werner and Sabitzer who failed to beat him several times. And luck was on his side when Cunha hit the bar on 29 minutes."

The succinct summary of the match in the Kicker: "Both Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig were unable to exploit slips by rivals and missed the chance to go top. The two sides shared the points in a 1-1 draw in a predominantly entertaining game. Above all, the visitors squandered chances for long stretches."„

The Rheinische Post draws the following conclusion: "RB Leipzig visit the Werkself – a Bundesliga game that immediately promises high tempo, great technique and all-out attacking moves. And that's what happened. Both teams delivered an impressive plea for pace and the desire to attack. For much of the game, the 1-1 draw served as an advert for the Bundesliga but did end with a nasty foul."

Great event with 'Kies'

The activities of Bayer 04 in marking the 20th anniversary of match reporting for the blind and visually impaired also received a good reception in the Bild am Sonntag: "Great event! Stefan Kießling (35) commentated the first half against Leipzig for the blind and the visually impaired. The reaction of the former striker: ' I noticed a slight frog in my throat but it was incredible fun. I think it's great for us to have that at our stadium. Huge respect to the reporters who are here matchday after matchday."