Every Werkself fan looking at the starting eleven would surely have had a smile on their face: After four months out injured, Karim Bellarabi celebrated his comeback and looked "as if he'd never been away" as coach Roger Schmidt said after the match. The Werkself were straight out of the blocks from the kick-off. The first chance fell to Kevin Kampl on seven minutes but the Mineiro keeper Uilson was able to make the save. Leverkusen continued to make chances after that with the best coming just before the half-time break.
First of all, the happy as a sand boy Julian Brandt robbed the Brazilian defence of the ball but was unable to convert from a tight angle on 44 minutes. Seconds later, Hakan Calhanoglu took a free kick and curled it onto the bar. "We are playing really well and dominating the game. If we carry on like this then we’re in with a good chance of winning," said the injured captain Lars Bender during the break.
Chicharito scores
Schmidt made five changes at half-time but that did not affect the flow of the Werkself game. Everything continued to go in one direction. And that was finally rewarded on 52 minutes: Calhanoglu crossed into the box and Chicharito was in the right spot to head home from close range. 1-0 for the Werkself and the starting shot for a big Chicha party at the ESPN World Wide of Sports that once again attracted a large number of Mexican fans.
Until he was substituted, the Mexico striker was greeted with huge applause every time he touched the ball. His strike partner Joel Pohjanpalo then had a chance to double the lead but his clipped left foot shot was saved by Uilson. In the closing stages of the game the youngsters Lukas Boeder, Sam Schreck, who scored the goal in the 1-1 draw in the first match against Estudiantes de La Plata, and Atakan Akkaynak were given time on the pitch. The game ended with a deserved 1-0 win. "We’re on the right track," said Ömer Toprak after full-time: "This match proves that."
The result means Bayer 04 have earned five out of a possible six points at the Florida Cup. Schmidt's team head the table after the 5-3 win against Estudiantes and the 1-0 victory against Mineiro.
Match stats:
Bayer 04: Leno – Henrichs (da Costa 60,) Dragovic (Jedvaj 46’), Tah (Toprak 46’), Wendell – Kampl (Yurchenko 60’), Aránguiz (Baumgartlinger 46’) – Bellarabi (Havertz 46’, Akkaynak 87’), Calhanoglu (Pohjanpalo 60’) – Brandt (Mehmedi 46’), Chicharito (Schreck 74’).
Goal: 1-0 Chicharito (52’)
Calling all Bayer 04 fans: The Werkself will play Pisa SC, newly promoted to Serie A, at the BayArena as part of the season opener. The clash with the club from Tuscany is on Tuesday, 5 August with the kick-off at 18:00 CET. Entrance to the stadium with a wide range of entertainment provided is possible from 15:00 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales for the season opener.
Show moreThe Werkself will welcome Serie A newcomers Pisa SC to the BayArena for a friendly on Tuesday, 5 August (kick-off: 18:00 CEST / stadium opens: 15:00) as part of the season opener celebrations. Bayer 04 will offer fans a lively and varied supporting programme on the stadium concourse. Ahead of kick-off, both the men's and women's senior squads will be introduced on the pitch.
Show morePreparations for the 2025/26 season at Bayer 04 start next Monday, 7 July, with the first team and youth players training together. Without the international players who were involved with their national teams at the end of last season, new head coach Erik ten Hag will welcome a group of senior and youth players to the first open training session one week ahead of the departure to the training camp in Rio de Janeiro. After the official welcome in the dressing room, the Werkself players will start the session in the shadow of the BayArena on 7 July at 14:00 CEST.
Show moreThe Werkself are away to Premier League club Chelsea in the final pre-season friendly. The game against the current holders of the UEFA Conference League is on Friday, 8 August at Stamford Bridge with the kick-off at 20:00 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales.
Show moreThe Werkself are away to Dutch top-flight club Fortuna Sittard in the third pre-season friendly. The match is on Friday, 1 August at the Fortuna Sittard stadium with the kick-off at 19:00 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales.
Show more