Volland hits hat-trick in Delbrück

The Werkself arrived to a carnival atmosphere. The Westphalian team Delbrücker SC, providers of the first coaching role for Roger Schmidt in 2004, organised a number of attractions for the friendly against at their Laumeskamp Stadium: a shot measurement machine, a dribbling course, air show and a tombola with a flight over the Sauerland in a Cessna as the main prize. The highlight for the supporters was a chance to see the Champions League participants from Leverkusen in action. “It’s a massive event for us as a team and for the whole club,” said Delbrück’s player-manager Guerino Capretti ahead of the rather mismatched encounter. Bayer 04 secured a 4-0 win at the end of a short training camp.

Volland bags a brace

Leverkusen started the game with a very strong line-up including Karim Bellarabi and Lars Bender who did not train the day before due to illness and injury respectively. Robbie Kruse played in the rather unusual position of left back. Friday’s match in Verl saw the Werkself finally score in the final minute but it was a different story on Sunday in front of 2,000 fans. Kevin Volland did not take long to score his debut goal for his new team – and the second came along soon after: The new signing from Hoffenheim opened the scoring on three minutes and doubled the lead on six minutes. Kevin Kampl rounded off the first half with his goal to make it 3-0 at the break.

Roger Schmidt brought on four new players for the restart: da Costa, Ramalho, Öztunali and Pohjanpalo replaced Hilbert, Papadopoulos, Brandt and Kießling. Volland carried on in the same vein and he converted a cross from Öztunali to make it 4-0 on 53 minutes. Then it was time for the youngsters: Roger Schmidt gave the 17-year-old keeper Tomasz Kucz, Atakan Akkaynak, Sam Schreck, Joel Abu Hanna, Kai Havertz and Malcolm Cacutalua a chance to shine with Lomb, Toprak, Kampl, Bender, Bellarabi and Volland making way for the rising stars. Robbie Kruse was the only player to go the full distance.

Next friendly in Koblenz on Friday

The Werkself have Monday off before returning to the BayArena on Tuesday for a double session on the training ground (10.00 and 16.00 CET). The next pre-season friendly is on Friday at 18.30 CET away to TuS Koblenz.

Bayer 04: Lomb (Kucz 62’) – Hilbert (da Costa 46’), Toprak (Cacutalua 62’), Papadopoulos (Ramalho 46’), Kruse – Bender (Abu Hanna 62’), Kampl (Akkaynak 62’) – Bellarabi (Schreck 62’), Brandt (Öztunali 46’) – Volland (Havertz 62’), Kießling (Pohjanpalo 46’).