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1.10.2024Bayer 04

Match of the month: 35 years ago – Top of the table in Munich, part two

The Werkself secured victory against Bayern Munich for the first time on 1 November 1986. On matchday 12, Bayer 04 beat the Bundesliga league leaders 3-0 at the Olympic Stadium in Munich and go top of the table.

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There is a very similar situation three years later: Ahead of matchday 12, FC Bayern are top of the table level on points with FC Köln. The Werkself are in third place on 15 points one behind the two top teams . With the confidence gained from the last three away games, against Hamburg SV, Bochum and Bayer 05 Uerdingen, all ending in wins without conceding, and a run of nine games unbeaten in succession we head off to Munich.

29,000 spectators are at the Olympic Stadium for the kick-off including hundreds of Bayer 04 fans. The Werkself show their away face from the start: solid in defence and again and again able to pressure the Bayern defence above all through the lightning fast Marek Lesniak.

That tactic proves successful on 14 minutes. A long free kick from Andrzej Buncol finds the midfielder Christian Schreier and he lays it straight off Andreas Fischer whose two efforts are blocked. But Marek Lesniak scores the opener with the third attempt. What follows is a real defensive battle. The Werkself are very good in defence for the remaining 76 minutes. And if anything gets through then they can rely on their goalkeeper. Again and again, particularly in the second half, there are counter-attacks as the game goes on but no more goals.

In the end there is not just a deserved 1-0 win. Bayer 04 go top of the table as FC Köln lose at home to Düsseldorf.

In that season, the Werkself establish their first longer run of unbeaten games. The team led by coach Erich Ribbeck are unbeaten for 17 games on the bounce. Unfortunately that is only enough for sixth place – but at the same time ensures qualification again for the UEFA Cup.

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