What the papers say: 'Spirited but not effective enough'

The Süddeutsche Zeitung says Bayer 04 definitely had the desire to win the game: "Leverkusen were spirited and creative going forwards, above all through the wingers Bailey and Gray. But again there was a lack of efficiency." The report also looks at the Bundesliga debutant Lennart Grill: "The U21 national goalkeeper was not responsible for the defeat.… Grill audibly directed the players in front of him, played well but had little to save."

And the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger describes the clear superiority of the Werkself in the first half: "Florian Müller was under constant fire. First, he saved a long-range effort from Leon Bailey from the inside right position (10'). From the ensuing corner, Lucas Alario had a free header (11') but Müller was again in the right spot. And the same was true with the attempt by Demarai Gray from the left on 22 minutes. Bayer 04 again and again tried to cut in from the wings. But Freiburg were focused and resolute in defence."

The Kölnische Rundschau describes the first 45 minutes as follows: "The Werkself dominated the game and had 68 per cent possession in the first half with nine shots on goal and two against. What was missing were ease and confidence. The insecurity after the many setbacks in this still young year was, above all, evident in the attacking play."

The second half was summed up in the online edition of the Rheinische Post as follows: "Shortly after the restart, the visitors turned over play quickly after Florian Wirtz lost the ball, and took the lead through Ermedin Demirovic (50'). Lucas Höler then exploited further uncertainty in the Leverkusen defence to double the lead (61'). Leon Bailey restored hope under the Bayer Cross with his consolation strike 20 minutes before the final whistle. The Bosz team pressed for the equaliser but the side led by coach Christian Streich secured the away win with a mixture of fortune and skill."

The Bild-Zeitung focuses on the injury to Timothy Fosu-Mensah: "As if the 2-1 defeat against SC Freiburg was not bad enough. Bayer Leverkusen are faced with the next long-term absence. Right back Timothy Fosu-Mensah (23) clearly suffered a serious knee injury. The Dutchman slipped on 44 minutes. He cried out immediately and was taken off. … Bosz: 'We suspect a cruciate injury. When you see that it's happened off the ball without an opponent being involved then you have to think that.' It would be bitter blow for Fosu-Mensah who suffered a torn cruciate during his time at Manchester United. ' But it was the other knee this time,' said Bosz – but that would obviously be of little comfort."

The online edition of the Kicker describes the final minutes as follows: "In the final stages, Freiburg initially succeeded in slowing the game down. It was only in the last few minutes that Bayer again exerted some pressure, Schick missed on the turn in the penalty box (87’). The game ended in a narrow away win for the Streich team and they move three points closer to Bayer."