Back
19.11.2017Bayer 04

What the papers say: Absorbing game with impressive finishing

The media are united in expressing a positive assessment of the 2-2 draw between Bayer 04 and RB Leipzig.
Volland_Bellarabi_Retsos_Wendell_Emotionen.jpg

The Sunday edition of the Kölner Stadt Anzeiger identified a winner in spite of the drawn result and that was the crowd:  "At first sight, the 2-2 draw does not really help either of the two teams involved – and yet it produced a winner after a spectacular and highly exciting match: The crowd who were fortunate to see an unusually good match." And the author concluded with this assessment: "Bayer demonstrated that they can compete with one of the top teams like Leipzig and underlined the positive impression with an impressively battling performance."
The Sonntags Express praises the commitment of the Werkself playing with ten men: "Bayer did not give up when down to ten men in a repeat of recent impressive second-half performances. The just rewards followed on 73 minutes. It was down to Kevin Volland to round off this incredible game with an incredible finish. Bayer's best goalscorer scored the deserved equaliser at 2-2 with a volley from a scissors kick." And the Express also looks at the development of recent weeks: "After the 2-2 draw with Leipzig, the Werkself have now not lost in eight games. They continue to be unbeaten at the BayArena. Also it was the 17th game in succession with at least one Bayer goal." 
The Bild am Sonntag emphasises that Bayer 04 were clearly the better side, above all in the final stages: "The game really got going. And how! Leverkusen launched attack after attack. With ten men? That doesn't bother us! Kevin Volland scored with a scissors kick on 73 minutes, how else? An incredible goal in an incredible game!"
And the Rheinische Post is also impressed by the phase of the match after the sending off: "There was real atmosphere in the game and not just in the stands. The Werkself were enraged and had a clear-cut double chance on 55 minutes through Volland and Havertz that did not produce the hoped-for leveller. It was Havertz again who had a shot blocked on 63 minutes. Spurred on by the supporters, Leverkusen pressed aggressively  as rarely before and they succeeded in pushing Leipzig back deep into their own half despite being a man down ."
The Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung confirmed their assessment of the game that was shared by the Leipzig coach before the match: "Ralph Hasenhüttl, RB Leipzig head coach, spoke like a fan ahead of the game between the team in second and ninth-placed Bayer Leverkusen. ' If I was a fan,' he said,' then I'd go to this match.' Why? the Austrian football aficionado firmly believed that the BayArena on this Saturday would witness an offensive encounter with absorbing moves and impressive finishing."
The online edition of the Leipziger Volkszeitung (online) draws the following conclusion for the last half hour of the game: "The surprising consequence: In spite of being a man down, Bayer were so frustrated that they had the Leipzig defence wobbling. Hasenhüttl brought on Augustin in place of Keita, and Upamecano for the booked Orban. However, RB were unable to exploit the extra man and kept being caught out. The second equaliser from the hosts scored by Kevin Volland from a corner was absolutely deserved – and that was the final score."
Under the headline 'Volland has the last word in highlight film' the online edition of the Kicker declares: "Everything that this clash promised in advance came to be: There were a number of highlights in the test of strength between Leverkusen and Leipzig on Bundesliga matchday 12. One example: In addition to the four goals in the 2-2 draw there were chances, two penalties and a red card. In short: Bayer and RB provided the crowd with a real treat."

Related News

Frauen verlieren Verfolgerduell in Frankfurt | 17. Spieltag
Werkself-TV - 07.02.2026

Women: TV-highlights of 0-1 loss at Eintracht Frankfurt

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 0-1 loss at Eintracht Frankfurt on the 17th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.

Show more
Kurzpässe vor #BMGB04
Bundesliga - 07.02.2026

Matchday news #BMGB04: Two records in sight at Borussia-Park

Bayer 04 have a score to settle with Borussia Mönchengladbach after their late equaliser in the reverse fixture. But it’s been a while since the points were shared in this fixture at Borussia-Park, where the Werkself have won their last six visits – their best run ever away at a team in the Bundesliga. Victory in Saturday evening’s game (18:30 CET) would also be the team’s fifth in a row in all competitions and their best run this season, while Gladbach are only just above the bottom three after going four games without a win. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the evening’s encounter in our matchday news.

Show more
Borussia Mönchengladbach
Bundesliga - 06.02.2026

Our next opponents: ‘The top priority is and remains staying up’

After just two points from their last four games, the situation has become trickier for Borussia Mönchengladbach in the bottom third of the table. Only three points separate the Foals from the relegation play-off spot. Coach Eugen Polanski's team is under pressure ahead of the home game against the Werkself on Saturday, 7 February (kick-off: 18:30 CET). The lowdown on our next opponents.

Show more
Die PK vor dem Auswärtsspiel bei Borussia M'gladbach | 21. Spieltag
Werkself-TV - 06.02.2026

Hjulmand ahead of #BMGB04: ‘We want to put in a good performance over the full 90 minutes’

Ahead of the Bundesliga match at Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday, 7 February (kick-off: 18:30 CET), coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the strengths of the ‘Foals’ and a new player in his own ranks.

Show more