
The starting eleven fielded by Herrlich demonstrated his serious approach to the friendly against Fortuna. Nine international players and the injured Tin Jedvaj and Charles Aránguiz were missing but the Bayer 04 team was up to Bundesliga strength. Playing in swirling winds, the Werkself immediately moved the ball forward in a flowing move down the left flank and the unmarked Karim Bellarabi unleashed a shot from close range but the Fortuna keeper Tim Boss was able to turn his effort away for a corner on two minutes.
It wasn't long before the ball was in the back of the Köln net: Marlon Frey, playing at right back, hit the ball with the outside of his right foot from a diagonal position high into the far corner on nine minutes. Excellent technique and great to watch – just like the goal scored by Frey in the friendly against Bochum at the end of August. Shortly after that, the captain kept his cool in front of goal: Lars Bender doubled the lead on 15 minutes with a low shot into the net after the ball was won in a high press.
The team from Cologne looked overawed and overextended by the tough approach and fast tempo of the hosts. The 450 fans at the Haberland Stadium enjoyed a flowing performance from Bayer 04 – including a back-heel by Lucas Alario from a Leon Bailey corner. The Argentinian, who celebrates his 25th birthday on Sunday, put the ball just wide of the target on 20 minutes. The third goal came from Fortuna: Mimbala was only able to turn a whipped-in cross from Bellarabi into his own net just before the half-hour mark. André Ramalho headed the ball off the line three minutes before the break.
The hosts continued to dominate after the restart, now with Niklas Lomb in nets, and remained sharp in front of goal: Kevin Volland turned in a Wendell cross to make it 4-0 on 52 minutes. A deflected shot from Bellarabi touched the bar on 68 minutes and the Fortuna keeper kept out Bailey two minutes later. Lomb then made a great save to prevent Köln pulling a goal back on 74 minutes. Alario (81') and Vladlen Yurchenko (83') both went close to making it five following passes from substitute Stefan Kießling.
After the international break, the Werkself are back in action in the Bundesliga on Sunday 15 October at home to VfL Wolfsburg. The match at the BayArena kicks off at 15.30 CET.
Bayer 04 line-up:
Bayer 04: Özcan (Lomb 46') – Frey, S. Bender, Ramalho, Wendell – L. Bender (Yurchenko 72'), Kohr – Bellarabi, Volland (Kießling 72'), Bailey – Alario
Goals:
1-0 Frey (9'), 2-0 L. Bender (15'), 3-0 Mimbala o.g. (28'), 4-0 Volland (52')

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed Kerim Alajbegovic’s transfer to Italian record champions Juventus. The club brought the 18-year-old attacking player back to Leverkusen this summer via a buy-back option, following a season at Red Bull Salzburg. Until his move to Austria, the Bosnia international had been playing for Bayer 04’s Under-19s.
Show more
With 22 days to go until the start of the Bundesliga campaign, the Bayer 04 Women’s team have gained a fresh boost of confidence. In a friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk on Saturday afternoon, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team secured a 1–0 win. Lobke Loonen (20’) scored the winner for the Black and Reds at the Kurtekotten training centre.
Show more
Werkself TV shows the highlights of the 3-0 victory in the friendly match against Rot-Weiss Essen...
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without Kennet Eichhorn for the time being. Following specialist medical examinations, the new signing from Berlin has been diagnosed with a metabolic disorder requiring treatment. This was preceded by excessive physical strain and weight loss, partly as a result of a gastrointestinal condition.
Show more
A successful fourth preseason friendly ahead of the start of the training camp: The Werkself secured a 3-0 victory over Rot-Weiss Essen at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The goals in what was a commanding and dominant performance by Leverkusen from the outset were scored by Ibrahim Maza (8'), Patrik Schick from the penalty spot (23’) and, in the second half, Montrell Culbreath with a header (79’). The team set off for their training camp in Blankenhain in the Weimarer Land region after the game.
Show more