There were not as many plaudits as last week after the 4-0 victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach but the performances of the Werkself players in the 4-1 win at Augsburg were again recognised in the football media. Jonathan Tah and Moussa Diaby were in the BILD Zeitung Team of the Day. And sportschau.de named Florian Wirtz in their matchday eleven. The substitute came on for Paulinho on 65 minutes, set up Patrik Schick (75') for the goal at 3-1 before scoring himself six minutes later for the final scoreline of 4-1.
That was the seventh Bundesliga goal for our number 27. At the age of 18 years, three months and 25 days Wirtz is now the youngest player in history the Bundesliga to reach that number. He has taken over from the previous record holder Timo Werner.
Part of that success probably goes down to head coach Gerardo Seoane and his team. Because Wirtz had problems with his lower back at the start of the season, the youngster was taken after training for ten days. "It was worth it," said Seoane who also added: "Confidence also comes through a healthy body."
In addition, Patrik Schick was highly rated by Werkself fans. In the vote for Man of the Match, presented by our kit supplier JAKO, he came out on top with 44.4% ahead of Florian Wirtz (24.3%), Jeremie Frimpong (16.3%) and Kerem Demirbay (15%). Supporters cast their votes on the Bayer 04 Twitter account after the Augsburg match. Schick will be able to enjoy his success in the Rhineland. The striker was sent off in the World Cup qualifier against Wales in March 2021 and is therefore suspended. That is why the striker has not joined his national team.
Seven points from three games – that puts the Werkself second in the Bundesliga table. Bayer 04 have only started a season better twice in their Bundesliga history: 2003 and 2013 produced the maximum nine points from three matchdays. For Kerem Demirbay this snapshot is no coincidence: "We’re on the right track. We are a unit," declared the playmaker before adding: "Something is coming together."
The last few days have been action-packed for Leverkusen's new signing Amine Adli: The 21-year-old signed a five year contract with Bayer 04 on Thursday, he trained for the first time with the squad on Friday and on Saturday the offensive player made his Bundesliga debut against FC Augsburg. Adli came within a hair's breadth of scoring his first Bundesliga goal but the FCA keeper Rafael Gikiewicz and the right-hand post put that achievement back.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen wish Dragoslav Stepanovic and Karl-Heinz Zickel many happy returns. Stepanovic, Werkself coach from 1993 to 1995, is 73 years old today (Monday). Zickel, who wore the Black and Red shirt for three years (1964-1967), is celebrating his 79th birthday.
With seven points, Mainz 05 are currently joint seventh, level on points with sixth-placed Bayer 04. In today’s head-to-head clash (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself must be particularly wary of the clinical Mainz strike duo. For Leverkusen fans who have left it to the last minute, there are still a few tickets available from the matchday ticket office. Those following the Black and Reds from home, on the other hand, have a choice: RTL is broadcasting the match on free-to-air TV, and Werkself Radio is also offering the expert commentary of former Bayer 04 player Falko Götz. Today’s matchday news.
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Back from the international break: On Saturday 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to Mainz 05. Ahead of the clash at the MEWA ARENA against the side currently sixth in the table, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the team’s work during the extended international break. The Spaniard also commented, when asked, on a number of squad matters, including Ibrahim Maza.
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FSV Mainz 05 went into the international break on the back of an away win at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Currently sixth in the table, the Rheinhessen side – who have been impressive on the road – now aim to continue their good start to the Bundesliga campaign at home when they face the Werkself on Saturday, 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). In terms of squad selection, Urs Fischer once again has more options at his disposal. Up front, the Mainz coach is likely to continue relying on what is currently the league’s most successful strike partnership. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Thomas Eichin has been working for Bayer 04 for six years – as Director of Professional Teams since July 2023 – and has contributed to the successful development of our club in many areas. Today, Friday 9 October, Freiburg-born Eichin is celebrating his 60th birthday. We wish him a very happy birthday.
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Together with his family, friends and close associates, Bayer 04 Leverkusen bid farewell to Peter Hermann. The club’s long-serving assistant manager passed away on 19 September following a serious illness. Today, Thursday 8 October, Bayer 04 held an event attended by around 200 invited guests to commemorate Peter Hermann’s legacy. Representatives from the DFB and the other professional clubs where Hermann worked paid their respects to him at the BayArena.
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