The Werkself completed eleven strenuous training sessions in SalzburgerLand and Roger Schmidt led another session in the morning before leading his team into action in the evening at the Alois Latini Stadium. Levin Öztunali only needed eight minutes to give the impressive Bayer 04 the lead. Kevin Kampl, who had most time on the pitch with 85 minutes, was on the ball and he picked out Chicharito and the Mexican produced a perfect diagonal ball to set up the youngster Öztunali and the right winger made no mistake in giving Bayer 04 the lead.
The Werkself sat back a little and Fiorentina, who finished fifth in Serie A last season, and conceded few chances. As ever, Bayer 04 could rely on Bernd Leno to prevent Mauro Zárate (12’) and Matias Vecino (29’) scoring. The score remained 1-0 at the half-time.
Lots of changes, lots of goals
Roger Schmidt made eight changes. Kampl, Chicharito and Mehmedi stayed on with the Switzerland international making his mark on the left flank. He was rewarded with a goal on 61 minutes. Wendell whipped in a cross from the left for Mehmedi to convert. Schmidt practised that move in the morning session. Mehmedi was substituted straight away to allow Julian Baumgartlinger to make his first appearance after recovering from a groin injury.
The Salzburg-born player was able to impress in his home game but the Werkself conceded. After Leverkusen lost possession Fiorentina were quick to move the ball and the Croatia international Nikola Kalinic scored to make it 2-1 (73’). The suspense did not last long: The Werkself took control. Kevin Volland posed a definite threat. André Ramalho hit the bar on 50 minutes from a cross from the new signings following the Italians scoring. Joel Pohjanpalo just missed the target on 77 minutes. Once again the move was accompanied by “Danger, danger” calls from the Leverkusen fans.
A minute later Kampl crowned his outstanding performance: Pohjanpalo succeeded in outfoxing his opposite number on the left flank and crossed the ball for Kampl to convert. He tucked it in at the near post – the keeper Ciprian Tätärusanu failed to impress. That was the final act of a fascinating encounter that saw the Werkself earn a deserved victory. The squad can head happy on Friday.
Match stats:
Bayer 04: Leno (Özcan 46’) – Jedvaj (Hilbert 46’), Papadopoulos (Tah 46’), Toprak (Ramalho 46’), Henrichs (Wendell 46’) – Aránguiz (Yurchenko 46’), Kampl (Boeder 85’) – Öztunali (Bellarabi 85’), Calhanoglu (Volland 85’), Mehmedi (Baumgartlinger 62’) – Chicharito (Pohjanpalo 68’).
Goals: 1-0 Öztunali (8’), 2-0 Mehmedi (61’), 2-1 Kalinic (73’), 3-1 Kampl (78’).
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