
The headline in the Kölner Stadt Anzeiger reads, 'Wake- up call at half-time' and highlights the animated intervention of the captain in the dressing room: "The input of Lars Bender during half-time clearly hit home. With the scoreline of 0-0 and a shots on goal ratio of 0 to 8, the Bayer 04 Leverkusen captain spoke out in the basement of the Düsseldorf stadium on Wednesday night to shake his team-mates into action. Kevin Volland did not want to divulge any details but it was all about Bayer 04 not playing as badly against the newly promoted Fortuna.'His words definitely had an effect,' said Volland - particularly where he was concerned. His two goals secured a 2-1 victory for Bayer 04 and the third win in succession."
The Kölnische Rundschau came to the following conclusion: "Recovery part three: Bayer 04 Leverkusen continued to battle their way out of the crisis on Wednesday night with a 2-1 win away to newly promoted Fortuna Düsseldorf. Once again led by their outstanding young star Kai Havertz and with two goals from Kevin Volland, the Werkself achieved a third win inn succession to move up to a mid-table position in the Bundesliga."
The Bild Zeitung showed concern about the housing situation of the double goalscorer: "Will his rent agreement be cancelled? Leverkusen win 2-1 at Fortuna because Kevin Volland (26) scores twice (50', 60'). Interesting: The striker, who hadn't scored in the Bundesliga since April (!), lives in Düsseldorf of all places. Volland has annoyed his neighbours! 50th minute: Corner from Bailey. Kohr rises and powers a header towards the far corner. Volland sticks out a foot. 1-0! 60th minute: Havertz lobs a delightful pass to Volland who only has to nod it in. 2-0!"
The Express sums up the sporting event in Düsseldorf with this common denominator: "Leverkusen only actually played 15 minutes of good football but that was enough for the clever Werkself side to take three points from Düsseldorf. A clinical Kevin Volland and an impressive goalkeeper made the difference against the newly promoted club." The paper highlights the outstanding display by Lukas Hradecky: "Less than seven minutes had gone and the Bayer keeper Lukas Hradecky had already twice saved his team from going behind. First of all, he turned away a shot from Bonito Ramadan heading for the top corner at the end of an impressive Düsseldorf move and shortly after that he kept out Rouwen Hennings."
The Rheinische Post report reads: "When the referee Manuel Gräfe blew for half-time on Wednesday night,the world of the Fortuna fans in the 40,046 crowd was still in order. The score was 0-0 but the hosts dominated an opponent of European quality in Bayer Leverkusen. The fact the game ended in a 2-1 defeat for Fortuna was, on the one hand, down to themselves due to careless finishing. On the other hand, the Werkself began to show their high, individual quality on the pitch after the break – and they overtook Fortuna in the Bundesliga table not undeservedly."


Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed Kerim Alajbegovic’s transfer to Italian record champions Juventus. The club brought the 18-year-old attacking player back to Leverkusen this summer via a buy-back option, following a season at Red Bull Salzburg. Until his move to Austria, the Bosnia international had been playing for Bayer 04’s Under-19s.
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With 22 days to go until the start of the Bundesliga campaign, the Bayer 04 Women’s team have gained a fresh boost of confidence. In a friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk on Saturday afternoon, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team secured a 1–0 win. Lobke Loonen (20’) scored the winner for the Black and Reds at the Kurtekotten training centre.
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Werkself TV shows the highlights of the 3-0 victory in the friendly match against Rot-Weiss Essen...
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without Kennet Eichhorn for the time being. Following specialist medical examinations, the new signing from Berlin has been diagnosed with a metabolic disorder requiring treatment. This was preceded by excessive physical strain and weight loss, partly as a result of a gastrointestinal condition.
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A successful fourth preseason friendly ahead of the start of the training camp: The Werkself secured a 3-0 victory over Rot-Weiss Essen at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The goals in what was a commanding and dominant performance by Leverkusen from the outset were scored by Ibrahim Maza (8'), Patrik Schick from the penalty spot (23’) and, in the second half, Montrell Culbreath with a header (79’). The team set off for their training camp in Blankenhain in the Weimarer Land region after the game.
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