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')
Exciting experiences and exclusive insights into the Werkself and the BayArena awaited the young footballers from the BA04 Football Academy Guangzhou in China during their visit to the Rhineland this week. As well as taking part in a joint training session with the Bayer 04 Football Academy, the youngsters marvelled at the Bundesliga club’s stadium during a guided tour. The highlight of the visit was a private press conference with former Bayer 04 striker Stefan Kießling, during which he shared tips from his own career with the young players. On Saturday afternoon, 10 October, the group will round off their visit by supporting the Werkself in the away match in Mainz.
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Fun, games and promising talent: At the fourth Bayer 04 Junior Girls’ Talent Day at the Kurtekotten training centre, 90 football-mad girls had the chance to put themselves forward for the Werkself youth teams. During a 90-minute training session, children born between 2011 and 2019 had the chance to demonstrate their skills.
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Despite the international break, numerous Werkself fans turned up at the BayArena on Saturday 3 October. The occasion: Bayer 04, together with Bayer Vital and main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer, organised a Health Day. In the stadium’s Premium Lounge, guests listened to fascinating talks on the subject of cancer, featuring, amongst others, Bayer 04 record appearance holder Rüdiger Vollborn and former Werkself player Hans Sarpei. Afterwards, young and old alike enjoyed interactive stations such as a grip strength test and eye pupil test.
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In issue #56 of Werkself Magazine, Afonso Moreira offers some interesting insights into his home country, Portugal, as part of the ‘Sag mal’ (Tell me) feature. Among other things, the 21-year-old talks about his favourite places in the country on the Iberian Peninsula, the local cuisine and music, as well as heroes and historical figures beyond the world of football. ‘Sag mal’ with Afonso Moreira!
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