"Bayer 04 made up for the 2-1 defeat in Berlin. The Werkself used the spaces on offer against HSV and, after initial difficulties, their new line-up succeeded in finding their way in the game without shining. The win was a step in the right direction for the Werkself. Nothing more," reported the kicker sports journal. "Bayer remain unbeaten this season in front of their own fans and have now moved up to tenth place ," declared the Bonner General Anzeiger in reporting the 3-0 win against Hamburg. The report in the Tagesspiegel highlighted the fact "the Werkself have the third-best attack after matchday six with 12 goals scored behind Dortmund (19) and Bayern (14)."
The media focus obviously fell on the debut of Lucas Alario. The Express described the first game for the 24-year-old as follows: "On 23 minutes, Lucas Alario received his first convertible ball in the penalty area – and he put it away. The outstanding work for the assist by the impressive Leon Bailey was recognised by the Argentinian new signing on his Bayer debut with the eye of a true centre forward as he calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net to make it 2-0.“ And furthermore: "The Argentinian put in a solid performance, helped out his team-mates and clearly had the killer instinct," In the view of the Kölner Stadt Anzeiger,the new man had an impressive debut against HSV, "without magic and tricks but rather through his readiness to get involved in every challenge where it mattered to create usable passes for his team-mates."
The Rheinische Post also praised the performance of Alario: "The Argentinian new signing impressed in his first Bundesliga performance and contributed to the 3-0 win against Hamburg." In addition to the new Werkself star, the editor also mentioned two other key performers: "However, the best player on the pitch was Leon Bailey. The Jamaican impressed as the driving force in the hosts' game and he also provided two assists. Kevin Volland bagged a brace." Alongside Volland, who scored his third and fourth goals of the season, Bailey also received special praise from the Bild Zeitung. The tabloid also assesses Bailey's display as a "masterstroke from Heiko Herrlich as the winger from Jamaica helped to secure the victory with two great assists for Kevin Volland and Lucas Alario. Bailey was unstoppable throughout."
