What the papers say: ‘Bremen put the brakes on Bayer’

The Süddeutsche Zeitung reports: “The experts had high expectations of the Bayer Leverkusen versus Werder Bremen game and the kicker predicted a “goal fest”. That did not happen but there was no disappointment at all as both teams performances reflected their ambitions to qualify for Europe but SV Werder were the only ones celebrating in the end. A goal from Max Kruse in added time settled it for Bremen as they secured a 3-1 win. They had to worry about getting the win as Bayer Leverkusen produced a non-stop power play in the second half after being 2-0 down at the break.”

The FAZ raves about a “great game to watch” … . “The entertainment value of the game was definitely there due to the high tempo and the individual quality - it was a match between two top teams.”

‘Bremen put the brakes on Bayer’, reads the headline of the article in the Kölner Stadt Anzeiger that deals with the absence of Kai Havertz in the starting eleven: “The highly talented youngster was laid low by a bout of gastroenteritis in the run-up to the game. The 19-year-old took part in the final pre-match training session on Saturday but he was not fully fit so the coach Bosz decided to leave him out of the starting eleven. It quickly became clear there was something missing from the Werkself game that normally relies on possession and passing. Bremen’s coach Florian Kohfeldt said he wanted to “hurt” the opponent and that was made even easier. Johannes Eggestein had the first clear-cut chance on four minutes after some good work in the build-up from Max Kruse. And more followed because Bayer 04 lost possession in their build-up play, left space on the wings and were equally careless either going backwards as they were on the edge of the opposition penalty area. It all looked like good football but the nonchalance shown poses a threat to the attacking system favoured by the coach Peter Bosz. In addition, Leverkusen faced a team that did not make any mistakes on the day and also had an outstanding players in their ranks in Max Kruse.”

The Rheinische Post declares: “The moods of the two coaches after the game could not have been more different. While Bremen’s Florian Kohfeldt quickly answered questions on his feet, his Leverkusen opposite number walked through the basement of the BayArena with a solemn look on his face. The Dutchman was clearly annoyed his team’s 3-1 defeat against Werder - and he did not mince his words. ‘Bremen deserved to win. We played really badly in the first half,’ said the 55-year-old with a clarity that is not typical of him. He did not want to devalue the performance of the visitors but he was clear about the failures of his team both with and without the ball. ‘We can’t afford to start another game like that the way we did today. I hope that was the first and the last time that I have to say something like that.’”

The verdict of the Kicker is: “Werder played a great game for 45 minutes. But Leverkusen could have earned a point in the second half.”

The Bild saw “a crazy game” but also a “severe setback for Bayer Leverkusen in the race for Europe.”