The Werkself were under pressure ahead of the home game against the La Liga runners-up Deportivo La Coruna following the 4-0 defeat away to Juventus in the first match in the second group stage. "We definitely have to win if we want to stay in the competition," demanded Bayer 04 coach Klaus Toppmöller, whose team suffered their first defeat of the season in the Bundesliga away to Werder Bremen (1-2) the previous weekend but still led Germany's top flight. Deportivo had not lost any of their seven games in this Champions League campaign, they beat Arsenal in the first second group stage match and came to Leverkusen as leaders of Group D.
Bayer 04 immediately took control at the BayArena in front of a full house. Zé Roberto missed the first big chance after five minutes when he was unable to convert an excellent pass from Oliver Neuville. Driven on by Michael Ballack and Bernd Schneider, the hosts again and again pushed forward with Zé Roberto and Oli Neuville constantly causing problems for the Deportivo defence. The visitors mainly defended with their star striker Roy Makaay having little chance to shine. The Spanish side were fortunate to go into half-time with the score at 0-0. It was the same after the restart albeit without clear-cut chances for the Werkself early on. Zé Roberto then broke the deadlock when he curled a free kick from 20 yards out into the top right corner to make it 1-0 (64'). Three minutes later, Neuville doubled the lead after good work by Calle Ramelow (67'). Deportivo were finally more offensive but Ballack's headed goal from a Zé Roberto corner to make it 3-0 finally sealed the result (79').
The wonderful free kick goal from Ze Roberto hit with his left foot and plenty of swerve paved the way to victory and set the BayArena alight. The build-up to the second goal was fantastic when the Brazilian first broke up an opposition attack in midfield, Calle Ramelow seized possession and, after a one-two with Ulf Kirsten, chipped the ball into the path of Oliver Neuville. He left the Deportivo keeper Molina with no chance of making the save with his shot from 13 yards out.
Zé Roberto not only scored the important opener but was also involved in the second goal and he provided the assist for the third from a corner. The Brazilian, who had attracted great interest from Deportivo in the summer, was the Man of the Match.
"We didn't go crazy after the two defeats in Turin and Bremen," said Bayer 04 skipper Jens Nowotny after the game highlighting the mentality of the group. Coach Klaus Toppmöller was also relieved: "Now this crisis talk is finally over. We needed a lot of patience in this game. It was incredible how much effort my team put in. And later they produced some wonderful moves. Fantastic." The visitors' coach Janvier Irureta admitted: "Bayer were stronger at the end and we couldn't come back after the opening goal."
The Rheinische Post reported after the 3-0 win: "After the total flop in Turin, Bayer 04 have now returned to the main entrance to the European stage. The renaissance of the Leverkusen team, enthusiastically followed by the crowd, saw their skill on the ball arrive with delay." The Kicker, "the success of Leverkusen was fully deserved, Bayer 04 could, and should, have sealed it in the first half." The big Spanish daily paper, El Pais, wrote in contrast: "Depor bleed out in Germany, Leverkusen crush Irureta's team."
Bayer 04: Butt – Zivkovic, Lucio, Nowotny, Placente – Schneider, Ramelow, Ballack (Vranjes 87'), Zé Roberto – Neuville (Berbatov 86'), Kirsten (Bastürk 74')
La Coruna: Molina – Hector, Donato, Naybet, Romero – Emerson , Mauro Silva, Scaloni (Djalminha 71'), Valeron (Tristan 76'), Fran (Amavisca 59') - Makaay
Goals: 1-0 Zé Roberto (64'), 2-0 Neuville (67'), 3-0 Ballack (79')
Booked: Scaloni
Chances: 12 - 3
Shots: 13 - 6; on target: 7 - 0
Corners: 8 - 1
Referee: Kyros Vassaras (Greece)
Attendance: 22,500 (sold out)
There was sheer euphoria at the BayArena at the latest after the second goal from Oliver Neuville. The fans sang 'Carnival at Bayer' and gave crowd favourite Ulf Kirsten a standing ovation when he was substituted on 74 minutes. The striker celebrated his 36th birthday on that day and was clearly delighted by happy birthday being sung by the North Stand.
Everything wide open again: As Arsenal beat Juventus 3-1 in the other game, all the teams in Group D had three points from two matches. The next outing in the competition for the Werkself was on 19 February 2002 against Arsenal at the BayArena.
New signing Miguel Gutiérrez has made a good start at Leverkusen and has promptly earned a nomination for Player of the Month in his first few weeks in the Bundesliga. He has scored one goal and provided three assists in four league games. The Spanish left-back has also brought some impressive stats with him to Bayer 04. Issue #56 of the Werkself magazine has taken a look at these figures. ‘Facts & Fun’ with Miguel Gutiérrez.
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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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