Back
22.03.2018Bayer 04

5-2 win for the Werkself in friendly against Bochum

Bayer 04 win friendly against second division VFL Bochum 5-2 with a very positive performance up front. Kevin Volland and Lucas Alario both scored twice with U19 player Herdi Bukusu also finding the back of the net. "It was a good friendly for us and a good performance," said head coach Heiko Herrlich, "it was important that a number of players, who don't get much time on the pitch, were able to play for 90 minutes again."
Torjubel_B04_Volland_Wendell_Kohr_Yurchenko_Bailey_Frey.jpg

Ten Werkself players are currently away on international duty – and coach Heiko Herrlich had to manage without Lars and Sven Bender plus stalwart Stefan Kießling, who is still recovering from a cold. Lucas Alario did play as the suspension for the Argentinian following his red card in the derby against FC Köln did not apply to this friendly. Goalkeeper Niklas Lomb shared the bench with four U19 players Max Schneider, Marius Samoura, Hajdar Shala and Chinedu Ekene. Two of the youngsters were in the starting eleven: Tim Stappmann in the back three and Herdi Bukusu in midfield. Bochum, under former Bayer 04 coach Robin Dutt, did not start with Sidney Sam and Robbie Kruse did not play as he is away with Australia on international duty. 

Bukusu provides assist and scores 

The second division side, who endeavoured to compete, had the first chance at Kurtekotten with keeper Rambo Özcan forced into action after just four minutes. In contrast, Bayer 04 made full use of their first opportunity at the other end: Bukusu put Kevin Volland through and the Germany international, who became a father for the first time at the weekend and therefore missed the game in Cologne, tucked away a low shot with his right foot to give the Werkself the lead on 11 minutes. Shortly after that, Karim Bellarabi missed a good chance to double the lead. Bukusu was quick to make amends: The youngster made it 2-0 with a great volley after a Bochum player had blocked the first effort from Alario on 15 minutes. And the encounter continued to prove entertaining for the crowd: Johannes Wurtz benefited from confusion in the Bayer 04 defence and he left Özcan with no chance as his diagonal shot from the right found the far corner of the net to make it 2-1 and 21 minutes.

The game continued in the same fashion: A header from Simon Lorenz went just wide of the Leverkusen goal on 25 minutes, Leon Bailey fired a right-foot shot against the Bochum woodwork on the half-hour mark.  Volland then set up Alario to restore the two-goal lead on 33 minutes. The Werkself kept up the pressure as they sought to exploit their advantage: Volland headed home a pinpoint cross from the right by Bailey and Bayer 04 with then 4-1 in the lead on 39 minutes – and that was the half-time score in a lively encounter.

fine strike from Alario

After the break – now with Niklas Lomb in goal – Bayer 04 took a considerably more relaxed approach to proceedings. Heiko Herrlich brought on Hajdar Shala and Chinedu Ekene for Wendell and Bukusu on 63 minutes. Alario matched Volland as he netted his second goal: The central striker – picked out well by Bellarabi – curled the ball into the far corner to put Bayer 04 5-1 up on 70 minutes. Lomb was able to shine on 76 minutes as he kept out an effort from Hinterseer with a fine flying save. Marius Samoura replaced Volland two minutes later and Max Schneider came on for Bailey om 81 minutes. Kevin Stöger rounded off the scoring with a goal from a free kick for VfL with the match ending 5-2 in favour of Leverkusen.

Line-up in friendly:

Özcan (Lomb 46') – Stappmann, Frey, Wendell (Shala 63') – Yurchenko, Kohr – Bellarabi, Bukusu (Ekene 63'), Bailey (Schneider 81') – Volland (Samoura 79'), Alario

sky_1803_cashback_300x250_b04.jpg

Related News

Julie Jorde
Women - 28.06.2025

Julie Jorde makes permanent move to Brøndby IF

The Norway U23 international Julie Jorde has completed the move from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Brøndby IF. The twelve-time champions of Denmark have signed the midfielder on permanent terms after her loan move from the Bundesliga to Denmark in the winter.

Show more
Faye und Falkenberg
Bayer 04 - 27.06.2025

Bayer 04 sign Senegalese central defender Faye

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed the Senegalese central defender Abdoulaye Faye. The 20-year-old joins the Bundesliga side from Swedish top-flight club BK Häcken. Faye has penned a contract at Leverkusen to 30 June 2030.

Show more
Bundesliga-Spielplan
Bundesliga - 27.06.2025

Bundesliga fixtures 2025/26: Werkself host Hoffenheim in opener

The German Football League (DFL) has published the fixture list for the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign. Bayer 04 start the new season with a home game against TSG Hoffenheim. The first away game for the Werkself is at Werder Bremen. The final Bundesliga fixture is on 16 May 2026 against newly promoted Hamburg SV with a 15:30 CEST kick-off at the BayArena.

Show more
Paulina Bartz
Women - 27.06.2025

Bayer 04 agree new deal with Paulina Bartz

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have given offensive player Paulina Bartz a long-term contract. The 20-year-old has penned a new deal to 30 June 2027.

Show more
Bayer 04
Bayer 04 - 26.06.2025

Wirtz voted Bayer 04 ‘Player of the Season’ for 2024/25

Germany international Florian Wirtz has been voted Bayer 04 ‘Player of the Season’ for the second time in a row. The 21-year-old, who will play for Premier League champions Liverpool next season, received more than half of all votes cast in the annual poll organised by Bayer 04.

Show more