"I'm happy with the game overall and we produced a decent performance. We had the better chances but there was a phase where we were disorganised and we conceded the goalscoring opportunity that led to the goal against us. It's a pity as we'd obviously preferred to have won the game. The draw was a fair result in the end," said Heiko Herrlich after the match.
The Bayer 04 head coach had to manage without five players from the training camp squad against Basaksehir: Lukas Hradecky (rehab after jaw operation), Karim Bellarabi (rested after heat exhaustion), Charles Aránguiz (knee problems), Sven Bender (workload control) and the departed Panos Retsos (torn thigh ligament) were all unavailable for the match at the Alois Latini Stadium in Zell am See. Herrlich was able to call on World Cup participant Julian Brandt for the first time. "Julian needed time to get into the game. He improved, posed a real threat and produced some really good moves. That's really good after four days training," said Herrlich in praising his number ten. But the 22-year-old found it hard going. As did Leon Bailey, Kai Havertz, Benny Henrichs and Kevin Volland, whose attempted finishes did not find the back of the net in spite of some impressive moves against a solid opponent. At the other end, the Bayer 04 keeper Thorsten Kirschbaum had a quiet night. He was only really stretched once when a long-range effort from the Turkish top-flight side hit the woodwork on the half-hour mark. The two sides went into the break level at 0-0.
Herrlich brought on three new players for the second half – including Paulinho for Brandt. In a repeat of the first half, the Werkself tackled harder and again and again created chances on the break. On 62 minutes, Dominik Kohr converted a cross from Bailey with a header to give the Black and Reds a deserved 1-0 lead. Shortly after that, Volland just missed the chance to double the lead from a pin-point Paulinho cross. It was even more annoying that the visitors from Istanbul in the shape of Edin Visca were able to level at 1-1 on 74 minutes following a rapid counter-attack.
Herrlich's team remained on the front foot after conceding and were, again and again, able to create dangerous moves down the flanks. However, the Black and Reds were unable to find the back of the net again. "If the game had lasted a couple of minutes longer, we would have been on the verge of collapse but I think we would have scored another goal," said Herrlich who had to settle for a draw in the end.
The Werkself training camp in Austria lasts until Sunday. After the friendly in the afternoon (kick-off: 15.30 CET) against Al-Wahda Mecca at the Goldberg Stadium in Grödig it will be time to return home.
Bayer 04: Kirschbaum (Özcan 46') – Henrichs, Tah (Weiser 60'), Dragovic, Wendell – Baumgartlinger (L. Bender 60'), Kohr – Bailey (Schreck 75'), Havertz (Alario 46'), Brandt (Paulinho 46') – Volland (Azhil 75')
Day four of the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour is all about the Werkself friendly against the CR Flamengo U20 team. Before the kick-off at the Estádio da Gávea today, Friday, 18 July, at 14:30 local time (19:30 CEST), the Werkself players will warm-up at the team hotel. In addition: A communal evening event with a view of the famous landmark in Rio de Janeiro. Bayer04.de keeps you up-to-date with on the spot reports. Day four blog on the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour (timings in local time).
Show moreThe Werkself lost 5-1 against the Flamengo U20 team in the first pre-season friendly ahead of the 2025/26 season. The scorers for the Brazilian team, playing in the middle of their season, were Lorran (3’), an Arthur own goal (11’), Matheus Goncalves (40’), Pedro Leao (45+4’) and Gusttavo (55’). Head coach Erik ten Hag made several substitutions on 30 minutes and he made ten more changes on the hour mark. The Werkself were then more proactive on the pitch with the input from Granit Xhaka, Robert Andrich and Co. bringing significantly more attacking moves that led to a number of chances. Montrell Culbreath netted a consolation strike on 71 minutes for the final score of 5-1.
Show moreA first win in the preseason: In the last friendly before the start of a two-week break in training, the Bayer 04 Women beat top-flight Dutch side Ajax 1-0. In the match played over three 30-minute thirds Vanessa Fudalla scored the goal for the Werkself. In the previous two friendlies this summer, the team led by head coach Roberto Pätzold lost 2-0 two Bundesliga rivals TSG Hoffenheim and drew 1-1 with the Dutch team PEC Zwolle.
Show moreThe current Werkself player Arthur, global star Vinícius Júnior and Brazil legend Zico – they all played for the youth teams at CR Flamengo. The U20 team at the big club from Rio de Janeiro is one of the best academies in Brazil and has produced a lot of stars as well as securing national and international trophies over the past few years. Ahead of the friendly against the Werkself today, Friday 18 July (kick-off: 14:30/19:30 CEST) bayer04.de profiles the highly successful youth team.
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