"We played really well overall – we wanted to be more efficient today and not look to immediately regain possession. We lacked coordination at times. The one or two counter-attacks that led to chances for Wuppertal were down to us," said the Bayer 04 coach after the game. "But the three friendlies also showed we haven't made fantastic progress in terms of converting chances. Above all in the second half, we could have made more of one or the other chance to get the ball over the line if we'd have been more clinical," said Herrlich who was unable to be too positive after the third win on the bounce without conceding.
At the same time, the boss had to manage without a number of players on Tuesday night in Wuppertal: Again he was missing Charles Aránguiz (knee), Lukas Hradecky (jaw), Dominik Kohr (knee), Paulinho (training), Joel Pohjanpalo (thigh) and Panos Retsos (hand). They were joined on Tuesday night by Jonathan Tah (training) and Sven Bender, who had to ease off after picking up a knock in the friendly against Sportfreunde Siegen. The Bayer 04 head coach against boosted his squad with U19 players Ayman Azhil, Jan Boller, Adrian Stanilewicz and Cebralis Makreckis auf.
In Azhil, Boller and Stanilewicz, three of the youngsters were in the line-up against the fourth division team, at home 30 kilometres from Leverkusen, who start their season at the weekend. The hosts were suitably fit and positive in front of 3,400 spectators and they did well at the start to keep the Herrlich team away from their own goal. At least early on. As the game progressed, the Werkself created a number of chances but just missed the target at times. At the other end, the Bayer 04 defence did not give much away but were lucky before the break: A headed goal for Wuppertal from a corner was ruled out due to a foul – and keeper Ramazan Özcan reacted brilliantly in two one-on-ones. The two teams were level at 0-0 at the break.
Herrlich made six changes at half-time. Nevertheless, the loss of energy was evident on both sides with temperatures of 35 degrees during the game. The Werkself created a number of promising opportunities to score – with the majority not producing the desired result . Leon Bailey did better just after the hour mark when his shot from the edge of the box on the left that found its way into the Wuppertal net at the near post – 1-0. Substitute Jakub Bednarczyk doubled the lead with twelve minutes to play. Luck was on his side when the ball was deflected into net on 78 minutes. Bayer 04 saw out the 2-0 victory..
The match was overshadowed ten minutes after the restart when substitute Karim Bellarabi fainted. The 28-year-old winger was treated on the touchline by the Bayer 04 medics before being taken to a local hospital for further tests. "He has regained consciousnesses and is responsive and is doing well. Of course, we'll have to wait and see what happens with the diagnosis," explained Herrlich who said the "extreme heat" was a possible cause. "Even if you're not playing, it can be have a dramatic effect on the body," declared the 46-year-old coach. Herrlich announced there would be a recovery session at the BayArena on Wednesday.
The next pre-season friendly for the Werkself is on Saturday (28 July, 18.00 CET) away to Dutch top-flight side Fortuna Sittard. The Bayer 04 squad head off the next day to the training camp in Austria (29 July to 5 August).
Bayer 04: Özcan (Kirschbaum 46') – Henrichs, Boller, Dragovic, Wendell (Bednarczyk 62') – Lars Bender (Baumgartlinger 46'), Stanilewicz (Havertz 46') – Schreck (Weiser 46'), Azhil, Bellarabi (Bailey 46') – Volland (Alario 46')
The Golden Boy Top 100 traditionally lists Europe’s most promising young players. In the latest update, published to mark the start of the new season, four current Werkself players – alongside loanee Francis Onyeka – feature on the list. This means Bayer 04 have the most players in contention of any Bundesliga club.
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Goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe will continue to play for Bayer 04 Leverkusen next season. The loan of the Germany U23 international, who joined from Liverpool in the winter, has been extended by a further year.
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Ten years after retiring as a player, Kristina Sundov is returning to the Bayer 04 Women’s team as assistant coach. The 39-year-old former Croatia international takes over from Remzi Kahraman, who has taken up a new challenge abroad. She has been given a contract to 30 June 2028.
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The training pitches at the BayArena are already buzzing with activity again, even before training officially begins next week. On Monday morning, a small group from the Werkself first-team squad completed a session lasting around an hour. Both new and familiar faces were present.
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