Back
16.10.2017Bundesliga

What the papers say: 'The final touch is missing'

Bayer 04 are unbeaten in three games following the 2-2 draw against VfL Wolfsburg. However, pleasure from that perspective has its limits. Not just because Heiko Herrlich's team missed the chance of third home win in succession against the Wolves. In the eyes of the media, a better result was on the cards against the team from Lower Saxony. What the papers say:
Tah_Zweikampf.jpg

"Leverkusen carelessly spurn victory against Wolfsburg. In spite of superiority and lots of good chances, Bayer 04 were only able to draw 2-2," wrote the Sunday edition of the Berliner Zeitung. According to the media, the Werkself alone are responsible for twice giving away the lead following goals from skipper Lars Bender (29') and Lucas Alario (61'). According to the Kölner Stadt Anzeiger, "Bayer 04 dropped two points in an entertaining match full of spectacular moments that ended in an avoidable 2-2 draw."

"Effort and rewards out of step"

 The press do see the Werkself as the dominant team for much of the game – particularly in the first half. "Once again, his (Heiko Herrlich's, ed.) team put in a great shift – but that wasn't enough to clock up a home win," declared the Bild Zeitung. The Westdeutsche Zeitung adopts a similar position, "effort and rewards out of step again for the Werkself."

 The sports magazine Kicker looks back at the performances in the last seven games of the season in its match assessment: "Bayer's pros look like the unfinished article. The final touch to complete the masterpiece is missing. Not for the first time this season. And it wasn't just against Hoffenheim that Bayer 04 failed to win in a game they completely dominated. It was the same in Mainz where a 1-0 lead turned into a 3-1 defeat. And now against Wolfsburg. The careless approach to their own chances is one thing but the way Bayer revitalise their opponents is another." The report continues: "If it was down to just two criteria then everything would be fine at Bayer 04. Most of the performances are satisfactory or good. The Werkself are more dangerous in front of goal compared with last season. The problem is that the results don't match.”

Related News

crop_imago1073729639h.jpg
Bayer 04 - 26.09.2026

'It's about Germany': Bayer 04 supports bid for Olympics and Paralympics

Decision made: Germany will submit a bid to the IOC (International Olympic Committee) to host the 2036, 2040 or 2044 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Munich. The representatives of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) voted for Munich over Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr at their extraordinary meeting in Baden-Baden on Saturday 26 September. Berlin had already withdrawn from the vote a few days earlier.

Show more
Michael Ballack
Bayer 04 - 26.09.2026

Michael Ballack turns 50 – Happy Birthday, Balle!

Former Werkself star Michael Ballack, who won the German Footballer of the Year award in 2002 while playing in Leverkusen, celebrates his 50th birthday on Saturday. Bayer 04 sends him its best wishes!

Show more
Lumbardha Misini und Paulina Tomasiak
Women - 25.09.2026

‘The toughest possible draw’: Women kick off DFB Pokal campaign at Viktoria Berlin

A challenging start to what will hopefully be a long journey: The Bayer 04 women’s team kick off their new DFB Pokal campaign on Sunday (14:00 CEST) against second-division leaders FC Viktoria Berlin. Coach Roberto Pätzold expects stiff resistance in the capital – and is counting on his team’s strong away form in the Bundesliga so far this term.

Show more
Fans im Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion
Women - 25.09.2026

Two more home games on sale: Tickets for Women’s Saturday fixtures now available

Attention Werkself fans: In addition to tickets for the floodlit home match against Werder Bremen, tickets are now also available for the Bayer 04 women’s team’s two subsequent fixtures against Eintracht Frankfurt and Hamburger SV at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. Both matches in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga will take place at family-friendly kick-off times on Saturday afternoons. Here is the latest information on matchday ticket sales.

Show more