Back
18.03.2019Bundesliga

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

The media are agreed the match between Bayer 04 and Werder Bremen was a great game of football, very entertaining and two very different halves. Here is what the papers say...
Baumgartlinger.jpg

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.”

Related News

U19
U19 - 08.05.2025

‘Fans will give us an extra boost’: U19s host FC Bayern in semi-final tie

A cracker of a semi-final at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The Bayer 04 U19 team entertain Bayern Munich on Saturday, 10 May (kick-off: 11:00 CEST/stadium opens: 10:00 CEST). In front of a home crowd, the team led by head coach Sergi Runge, who welcomes back an attacking player, is looking to build on the battling performances from the previous knockout games and "perform at the right moment." Tickets are available from the Bayer 04 online shop and the game will also be broadcast live on Sky.

Show more
Jeremiah Mensah, Ben Hawighorst und Nebe Domnic
Youth - 06.05.2025

U17 EUROS: Leverkusen trio in Germany U17 squad

Germany U17 head coach Marc Meister has called up three Bayer 04 youth players for the forthcoming UEFA U17 European Championship. The tournament involving eight teams runs from 19 May to 1 June in Albania.

Show more
Xabi Alonso und Jonathan Tah
Bundesliga - 05.05.2025

Werkself review #SCFB04: Character shown in 'drab display'

"We have mixed feelings overall today," said head coach Xabi Alonso after the 2-2 draw away to SC Freiburg. Bayer 04 were deservedly 2-0 down against the Champions League contenders up to the closing minutes but fought back with a double whammy from Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Tah to earn a point in the end. That maintains the run of unbeaten away games in the Bundesliga – the all-time record has been achieved! The Werkself review.

Show more
20250504_JS2_0046.jpg
Bundesliga - 04.05.2025

2-2 in Freiburg – Tah rescues run late on

Bayer 04 have now gone 33 Bundesliga away games in succession without defeat and thereby equalled the record set by Bayern Munich: Jonathan Tah netted the equaliser at 2-2 in added time away to SC Freiburg on his 400th appearance for the Werkself. SCF took a 2-0 lead with a strike from Maximilian Eggestein (44') and a Piero Hincapie own goal (48') before Florian Wirtz pulled a goal back on 82 minutes.

Show more