What the papers say: 'An energetic performance'

The Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung article focuses on Bayer 04 coach Roger Schmidt, serving the second match in the stands at Wolfsburg, and says the Werkself produced an energetic performance: "Given the distance Roger Schmidt had to maintain, everything must have seemed quite remarkable. Without the banned head coach, Bayer Leverkusen were on the way to defeat but turned it round at the end to win 2-1 at VfL Wolfsburg. The surprise exit from the DFB Cup was followed by an energetic performance that should delight Schmidt and, at the same time, pour more misery on VfL Wolfsburg who have gone weeks without a win. In contrast to Wolfsburg, Leverkusen stuck to their game. They ended up as the dominant and clearly better team while a weakened Wolfsburg side were scarcely able to fight back."

For the Express, the Bayer 04 victory was down to the very young players: "Bayer's pros impressed in their test of character. After unluckily going behind the team shook themselves up at the break. Bayer hit back thanks to their youngsters. Benjamin Henrichs (19) provide a wonderful assist for Mehmedi's equaliser. And the substitute, wonder boy Kai Havertz (17) brought class and impetus to the attacks. At 17.16 the burden of the crisis was lifted. The Bayer pros sank to the ground. When they marched off to the dressing rooms they were full of joy."

The Kicker also believed the Werkself deserved to win: "After two defeats in succession in the Bundesliga, a disappointing 0-0 draw at home in the Champions League and the Cup exit at third division Lotte, it looked like stormy times were ahead on matchday nine. Thanks to a 2-1 win at crisis-torn VFL Wolfsburg, the Rhinelanders have started to hit back. The team from Lower Saxony went ahead in the first 45 minutes but after the break they were extremely passive and susceptible at the back to an ever improving Rhineland side."

The online match report of the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger declares: "That was good: The morale and the resulting flourishing of a not exactly sparkling Bayer side, saw the Werkself refuse to give up despite a number of failed attacks and, after drawing level, they recognised and brutally exploited the state of the wounded opponent."

The Kölner Stadt Anzeiger declared Kai Havertz, who came on with 20 minutes to play, was the man of the match: "In his second Bundesliga game at the age of 17 and four months this very young man was the first option when the game needed an input to turn things round as defeat loomed. On 70 minutes, he came on and displayed an incredible presence on the pitch, immediately won crucial challenges and raised the level of the game. You had to see it to believe it.”

The Rheinische Post (online) match analysis pointed out to statistics: "Prior to the game, Bayer were in a very difficult position: The last five games at Wolfsburg all ended in defeat. That run has come to an end. The relief was evident when Tin Jedvaj scored from six yards out to make it 2-1 to Bayer 04. The Werkself struggled for 80 minutes against a compact Wolfsburg side but the Wolves ran out of breath by the end of the match. Leverkusen turned the game round for the third time this season."