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1.02.2025Bayer 04

From the archives: 70 years ago – snowball fight in Dortmund

Bayer 04 are second in the First Oberliga West in February of the 1954/55 season. The Werkself travel to Dortmund on 20 February for an away game. 6,000 spectators want to see the match on a snow-covered pitch at the Rote Erde Stadium.
Bayer 04 1954/55

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.

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