Time for a premiere at the Oberwerth Stadium: The Werkself played in the new, red JAKO away kit. Head coach Roger Schmidt opted to start with Chicharito and Kevin Volland up front with goalkeeper Ramazan Özcan making his debut appearance for Bayer 04. Stalwart Stefan Kießling was rested after the intensive week of training and was not included in the squad for the Koblenz game. Tin Jedvaj and Admir Mehmedi, who started the pre-season today with the usual medical checks, were also not in the squad.
The first real chance of the game on three minutes: Kevin Volland put Chicharito through but the Mexican was unable to beat the Koblenz keeper Sebastian Patzler. Just after that, the new signing from Hoffenheim fired a volley goalwards but Patzler pulled off a brilliant save. A brilliant move from Karim Bellarabi including a one-two with Volland led to Leverkusen taking the lead: Bellarabi sent in a cross from the right and an attempted clearance by Ricardo Antonaci ended with the ball in the back of his own net to make it 1-0 on 15 minutes.
Bellarabi and Volland form impressive duo
As expected, the Werkself set the pace against the Regional League side and they moved the ball around with ease. Whenever Bayer 04 upped the tempo going forward Koblenz struggled to cope. And a rapid attack down the right flank ended with Kevin Volland doubling the lead on 25 minutes with his fourth goal in the pre-season to date. Bellarabi then set up Chicharito but his effort went just wide of the Koblenz goal on 32 minutes. Volland again demonstrated his attacking prowess when a fast-paced attack from a lively Werkself side ended with the striker netting again to put Bayer 04 3-0 up on 35 minutes. Bellarabi provided the assists for both of Volland’s strikes.
Roger Schmidt rang the changes after the break bringing on Baumgartlinger, Brandt, da Costa, Calhanoglu, Pohjanpalo and Lomb. The goalkeeper was awake on the hour mark when he saved the only Koblenz shot with his feet. The youngsters Akkaynak, Havertz and Schreck came on at that point shortly before Cacutalua and Abu Hanna. Bayer 04 took the foot of the gas in the second half but still sought to maintain control of the game and chances still came along – as with a shot against the woodwork from the Koblenz captain Andre Marx as he almost turned a Brandt cross into his own net for a second own goal (78’). Brandt rounded off the scoring with an excellent shot from the edge of the box: 4-0 for the Werkself with three minutes to play.
Porto on Wednesday in Bergisch Gladbach
The Werkself can expect a stiffer work-out in the next friendly: The top Portuguese side FC Porto provide the opposition on Wednesday night at the Belkaw Arena in Bergisch Gladbach at 18.00 CET.
Bayer 04: Özcan (Lomb 46’) – Kruse (da Costa 46’), Ramalho (Akkaynak 63’ ), Toprak (Cacutalua 76’), Hilbert (Abu Hanna 76’) – Bender (Baumgartlinger 46’), Kampl (Havertz 63’) – Bellarabi (Brandt 46’), Öztunali (Schreck 63’) – Volland (Calhanoglu 46’), Chicharito (Pohjanpalo 46’)
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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