The Black and Reds take the lead on four minutes thanks to a goal from left winger Horst Schultz. A journalist in his news report describes the Bayer 04 style of play as of "the English style: unpretentious, powerful and with sober-minded success." Borussia look to find the winning way by playing a passing game on the tricky snow-covered surface, which only succeeds at times. Nevertheless, Alfred Kelbassa levels for the Black and Yellows on 28 minutes but Leo Bering restores the lead for the Bayer team before half-time.
In the second half, BVB attack the goal brilliantly minded by Fredi Mutz. Mutz, playing in a tracksuit because of the cold, could not prevent Wolfgang Peters equalising before half-time. But this time it only takes ten minutes before Leo Behring again gives the Werkself the lead. One Borussia attack after the other rains down on the Bayer 04 goal but the players led by centre back Peter Röger stop any further goals being scored.
The Kicker on the Werkself: "The team avoid any forms of deception. That's why they are clearly underrated. Every player appears worked through and sees himself as a modest servant for the good of the team as a whole."
In addition, a newspaper reporter visits the Bayer 04 dressing room after the game and discovers, "that there has rarely been a more heartfelt harmony between the players and the officials of a club. And this mental approach could provide the solution to the puzzle of the continuing Bayer wins."
Harmony has never undermined sporting success, we saw that last season.
Dieter Bast was born in Oberhausen on 28 August 1951. He began playing football in the youth team at DJK Arminia Klosterhardt, a local club in Oberhausen. Whilst training as a toolmaker, he moved to neighbouring club Sterkrade 06/07 to play for their U19s, where he caught the eye of Bundesliga sides Rot-Weiss Essen and Borussia Mönchengladbach. Bast opted for Rot-Weiss and played in the Bundesliga from 1970 onwards. In his very first year, he made 22 appearances as a right winger, scoring three goals. Nevertheless, Essen were unable to avoid relegation.
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José Vítor Roque Júnior was born on 31 August 1976 in Santa Rita do Sapucaí, in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. As a youth, he played for São José EC, a club in the east of the state of São Paulo. His professional career began in 1995 with Palmeiras São Paulo. There, Roque Júnior quickly established himself as a key player in the team, making more than 200 appearances and enjoying significant success. With the club, he won the Copa do Brasil in 1998 and the Copa Libertadores in 1999, the South American equivalent of the European Champions League.
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In this video you can see impressive and important goals in the history of Bayer 04 from the month of August. It's not always about the beauty of the goals, but also a reminder of special games and players.
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The Werkself play their first top-flight match in Bayer 04’s history away at Sportfreunde Katernberg. 7,000 spectators turn up at the Am Lindenbruch stadium in that district of Essen. The Katernbergers have transformed the once ‘barren’ pitch into a real gem. On this Sunday afternoon, 19 August 1951, the lush turf provides the perfect conditions for a good game of football.
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Following a thoroughly successful start with a 2–1 home win against VfL Wolfsburg, the Werkself are organising a team event. On Wednesdays, they head to the Nürburgring together and do a few laps at speed. Manager Klaus Toppmöller welcomes this initiative, as it promotes team spirit and integration. During weekly training sessions, the team works extensively on various defensive tactics, as the manager was dissatisfied with his players’ pressing in the final minutes of the match against the Wolves.
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