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1.08.2023Bayer 04

Match of the month: Successful start to a tricky season

Bayer 04 Leverkusen avoided relegation on matchday 34 in the 2002/03 season with a 1-0 win away to FC Nürnberg. The preparations for the new 2003/04 season were eventful. Coach Klaus Augenthaler not only fine tuned the system but he also made his team work hard on their fitness. The aim was to avoid finishing in the same situation and the Werkself started with a convincing 3-1 win in the DFB Cup way to Regional League Holstein Kiel.

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The start to the Bundesliga campaign saw Bayer 04 crush SC Freiburg 4-1 at home as they storm to the top of the table. That was underlined a week later with a 2-1 win away to Eintracht Frankfurt. The Werkself are the only team with six points after two matchdays.

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Third-placed Hannover 96 visit the BayArena on matchday three. From the kick-off, the Werkself leave no doubt who the boss is on their own turf. The score is 2-0 after ten minutes with two goals from Franca and Oliver Neuville. The Augenthaler team again demonstrate their comfort on the ball and effective finishing. Neuville scores again in the second half and substitute Daniel Bierofka rounds the scoring off at 4-0. Rarely has a Bayer 04 team started a season so well and they are top of the Bundesliga at the end of August 2003.

Here is the line-up for the game against Hannover 96: Butt – Balitsch, Lucio, Juan, Placente, Ramelow, Schneider (Kaluzny 75’), Babic, Ponte, Franca (Berbatov 78’), Neuville (Bierofka 65’)

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