2-0 win against Oberhausen kicks off 2025

Head coach Xabi Alonso included U19 striker Artem Stepanov in his starting line-up in the first and only friendly in the short winter break. Jonas Hofmann, Amine Adli and Victor Boniface are still sidelined. The return of the Nigerian has been delayed due a minor setback in his rehab. Winter signing Alejo Sarco was also not on the team sheet as the Argentinian is gradually being introduced to the squad and match action.

Werkself hit the woodwork twice

Playing in continuous rain in Leverkusen, the Werkself made a positive start and dominated as expected. The RWO keeper Kevin Kratzsch was first tested by Nathan Tella (6'), Nordi Mukiele then put a header wide of the target (13'). Tella came even closer five minutes later at the end of a solo run when he hit the post. After a quieter phase of the game, Stepanov tried his luck but the bar prevented Leverkusen taking the lead this time (31'). The best chance up to then for Oberhausen came from their captain Moritz Stoppelkamp but his shot also hit the bar (40'). The match against the team fourth in the Regional League West went into the half-time break with the scores level at 0-0.

Wirtz from the penalty spot - Schick nets second goal

The second half started with two of the eight Leverkusen substitutes centre stage: Florian Wirtz and Granit Xhaka played a one-two with the ball striking Oberhausen player Denis Donkor on the hand in his own penalty area. Wirtz stepped up to convert the penalty and also be the first goalscorer for the champions of Germany and DFB Pokal winners in the new year (47’). Ten minutes later, fellow substitute Patrik Schick was first denied by Robin Benz but a header from the Czechia international a minute later left the RWO keeper helpless – 2-0 to the Werkself (58').

Just after the hour mark, it was the end of the game for the remaining three Leverkusen players from the starting XI with youth players Andrea Natali, Othniel Raterink and Kerim Alajbegovic coming off the bench (63.). The next effort on goal was a lob by Wirtz (68') then there was little goalmouth action after that. Schick did look to double his tally late on (85’) but there were no more goals.

outlook: first BVB away, then Mainz at home

The one and only friendly is followed by the first league match for Bayer 04 in the new year: The Werkself are away to Borussia Dortmund on Friday, 10 January (kick-off: 20.30 CET). Then comes the first Bundesliga home game of 2025 against Mainz 05. The match on Tuesday, 14 January, kicks off at 20.30 CET. Remaining tickets are on open sale HERE.

Match stats:

Bayer 04: Hradecky (Kovar 46') - Mukiele (Arthur 46'), Tah (Natali 63'), Hincapie (Tapsoba 46') - Frimpong (Grimaldo 46'), Palacios (Xhaka 46'), Garcia (Andrich 46'), Belocian (Raterink 63') - Tella (Wirtz 46'), Terrier (Alajbegovic 63') - Stepanov (Schick 46')

Oberhausen (starting XI): Kratzsch - Fassnacht, Husseck, Demirarslan, Kesim, Stoppelkamp, Gueye, Ngyombo, Kayser, Hot, Öztürk

Goals: 1-0 Wirtz (47’ pen.), 2-0 Schick (58’)

Referee: Nico Fuchs (Odenthal​)

Attendance: 2,100 at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium