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1.01.2024Bayer 04

Match of the month: 15 years ago – First win in Düsseldorf

From 2008, the diminutive BayArena, with its capacity of just 22,500, was gradually rebuilt into the Arena we know today. The league's glittering gem of a stadium had begun to show its age. To make room for the required construction work, the Werkself had to move their home games to the LTU Arena in Düsseldorf for six months.

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Coach Bruno Labbadia oversaw very attractive and successful football at the BayArena construction site. Bayer 04 were also making serene progress in the cup: following victories in Oberhausen and Augsburg, the Werkself were through to the last sixteen. After a long abstinence, they finally had a home game in the competition again, something the black-and-red fans had been waiting for since the 2002 semi-finals. And now, despite the yearned-for home draw, they had to play away in Düsseldorf. Only 16,000 fans made the journey to the LTU Arena on Wednesday, 28 January 2009 for the match against then Bundesliga rivals Energie Cottbus.

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A lively Bayer team impressed right from the start with their fast and direct play. The Werkself repeatedly bridged the midfield quickly, driven on by Brazilian midfielder Renato Augusto. Labbadia's charges took a fully-deserved lead after just 12 minutes with a shot from Patrick Helmes. A quarter of an hour later, left-back Michal Kadlec added to his tally when he thumped a Barnetta corner into the net. After Renato Augusto himself completed an irresistible solo run with a shot into the bottom left corner, the Werkself went into the break with a well-deserved 3-0 lead.

Bayer 04 took the pace out of the game in the second half without the outcome ever looking in doubt. It was not until the final minute that the visitors netted a consolation from a direct free-kick. The men from Leverkusen won 3-1 and booked a place in the DFB Cup quarter-finals.

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