The game was part of the traditional 'Trofeo Naranja', a summer tournament staged by the hosts, and it proved to be a tough test for the Werkself ahead of next Saturday's first competitive match of the new season in the DFB Cup.
Heiko Herrlich had to manage in Valencia without Lukas Hradecky (rehab after jaw operation), Panos Retsos (thigh ligament strain), Joel Pohjanpalo (circulation problems in right ankle), Karim Bellarabi (cruciate) plus Charles Aránguiz and Leon Bailey. The last two have completed individual training sessions this week on their way back from knee and shoulder problems but the trip to Valencia came too early.
Both teams played at a fair tempo in front of a crowd of 40,000 in temperatures of around 30 degrees. The Werkself keeper Rambo Özcan shone for the first time after just six minutes when he pulled off a great save to keep out a header by Kondogbia. The first chance for Bayer 04 came a minute later with an initial effort from Kevin Volland - his left-foot shot from 18 yards out went just wide of the target.
Valencia gradually gained the upper hand and the next decent chance fell to Soler but Wendell was able to make the block on 23 minutes. Five minutes later, the 'Blanquinegros' - fourth in La Liga last season - took the lead through Santi Mina who turned the ball into the far corner of the net after a back-heel from Garay - there was nothing Özcan could do. With the lead under their belt, the hosts dominated proceedings and with 36 minutes gone they doubled the lead through Rodrigo as he exploited a misunderstanding between Özcan and his fellow defenders.
Julian Brandt did have a good opportunity to score but his free kick from the left of the box went wide of the left upright on 43 minutes. Valencia took a 2-0 lead into the break.
Bayer 04 clearly played with greater intensity after the restart, putting in more robust challenges and applying more pressure up front. The Werkself now had much more possession. Kai Havertz (52') and Brandt (56') tested the Valencia substitute goalkeeper Neto with shots from distance, and the Spanish keeper also denied Volland when he saved a free kick from the striker on 62 minutes.
The hosts conceded space to the Werkself but Bayer 04 rarely threatened in the final third. Heiko Herrlich made five changes at the break including the introduction of Isaac Kiese Thelin, the Swedish striker signed this week. However, the Werkself were unable to create any further chances. The hosts sealed the victory with four minutes to play with a headed goal from Lee making it 3-0.
Bayer 04 have the first competitive game of the new season on Saturday 18 August. The Werkself are away in the DFB Cup at Baden-Württemberg Oberliga side CfR Pforzheim.
FC Valencia: Jaume (Neto 46')- Piccini (Lee 76'), Garay (Ruben Vezo 65'), Paulista (Diakhaby 46'), Gaya (Lato 65')- Soler (Murillo 78'), Parejo, Kondogbia (Ferran Torres 35'), Wass (Racic 83')- Rodrigo (Escobar 83'), Santi Mina (Zaza 65').
Bayer 04: Özcan - Weiser (Henrichs 71'), Tah, S. Bender (Dragovic 71'), Wendell - Baumgartlinger, L. Bender (Kohr 65')- Volland, Havertz (Kiese Thelin 71'), Brandt (Paulinho 65') - Alario.
Calling all Werkself fans: The new Farbenstadt range is available now from the Bayer 04 online shop and the Fanwelt. This includes new T-shirts made of 100% organic cotton, zip-up hoodies and jogging bottoms in five different summer colours.
Show moreBayer 04 new signing Carlotta Wamser has been called up to the Germany squad for the Women's EURO 2025 finals in Switzerland. For the 21-year-old winger, who is set to join Bayer 04 from Eintracht Frankfurt for next season, it is the first participation in a big international tournament.
Show moreBayer 04 Leverkusen have completed the signing of French U18 international Axel Tape. The 17-year-old moves to the Bundesliga club on a long-term contract from Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain ahead of the 2025/26 season. Tape was crowned a French U19 champion with the PSG youth just last weekend.
Show moreFollowing the end of the season for Bayer 04, a lot of Werkself players are currently on the road with their national teams. The Leverkusen players are involved in the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League, qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and international friendlies. Read on for the latest news on international fixtures involving Werkself players.
Show more