"I'm happy. All the players were totally motivated and were determined to work hard in really hot weather. As we did on Thursday, we played against a team that sat back very deep and really closed down spaces. It was a good benchmark for what we'll face in the league and in Europe," said Heiko Herrlich in drawing a positive conclusion from the game even though his team could have won by a bigger margin given the chances created, particularly in the first half.
In the penultimate pre-season friendly, the Bayer 04 coach had to manage without Lukas Hradecky (rehab), Panos Retsos (thigh), Charles Aránguiz (knee), Leon Bailey (shoulder) and Karim Bellarabi (rehab) – Paulinho made his first start for Leverkusen against Al-Wahda.
The Werkself set the pace from the start at the Goldberg Stadium against an idyllic Alpine with some great passing football. Driven on by the skipper Lars Bender, the Herrlich team created four good chances in the first 20 minutes but were unable to find the back of the opposition net. Bayer 04 finally made the breakthrough just before the half-hour mark: Kai Havertz received the ball from the left and hit a low drive from 14 yards out that came back off the right-hand post but he was able to convert the rebound to make it 1-0 on 26 minutes. The Saudis failed to pose a threat up front in the first 45. Bayer 04 keeper Thorsten Kirschbaum only had to make one save before the break – and without any problems (30'). The Werkself took the narrow lead into the break with the two managing directors Fernando Carro and Rudi Völler, sporting director Jonas Boldt and former Leverkusen player Ramalho watching from the stand.
With the temperature just above 30 degrees, Herrlich sent on nine substitutes for the start of the second-half – including Kevin Volland plus three U19 players Jan Boller, Kevin Bukusu and Ayman Azhil. "The lads have done well at the training camp and have earned their chance," declared Herrlich. The significantly less experienced Werkself side were quick to challenge as they attempted to stop the, in part, very aggressive Saudi team from breaking out. They received vocal instruction from their coach on the touchline. With some success – even if clear-cut chances were a rarity up to the final whistle. A strike from Volland was ruled offside on the hour mark. "We absolutely dominated the first phase of the game. But sometimes you have to work hard in football. Kevin Volland and Dominik Kohr did that in the second half after we almost completely changed the line-up in an exemplary performance from the two of them," said Herrlich, whose players clocked up a fifth win in the sixth and penultimate pre-season friendly with a battling display.
After the final whistle, the Werkself set off for Germany straight away. The players have Monday and Tuesday off before the pre-season work is resumed on Wednesday.
Bayer 04: Kirschbaum – Weiser (Bednarczyk 46'), Tah (Dragovic 46'), S. Bender (Boller 46'), Henrichs (Wendell 46') – L. Bender (Stanilewicz 60'), Baumgartlinger (Kohr 46') – Brandt (Volland 46'), Havertz (Azhil 46'), Paulinho (Schreck 46') – Alario (Bukusu 46')
The Colombian midfielder Gustavo Puerta is set to join Hull City on permanent terms from 1 July. Bayer 04 Leverkusen and the Championship club originally agreed a season-long loan in the summer with an option to buy included in the contract. A permanent move to Hull City has been triggered by the number of league appearances Puerta has made this term.
Show moreThe Werkself are away to FC St. Pauli on Bundesliga Matchday 30. The game is on Sunday, 20 April (kick-off: 19:30 CEST). The Bayer 04 Fan Liaison team brings you the latest information on the fixture at the Millerntor Stadium…
Show moreThe Easter holidays enticed a large number of Bayer 04 fans to come to the training ground at the BayArena, today Wednesday 16 April, to watch the Werkself at an open training session in the afternoon. Afterwards, the players and head coach Xabi Alonso took time out to sign autographs and pose for photographs. And there was a lot going on besides: While midfield maestro Granit Xhaka fielded questions at an entertaining children's press conference, including the story behind his squad number 34, Nathan Tella faced the media.
Show moreAway fans take note: Tickets for the forthcoming away game for the Werkself against FC St Pauli at the Millerntor Stadium on Sunday, 20 April (kick-off: 19:30 CEST) are exclusively available on the Bayer 04 app. The tickets are available at once and as usual under the 'Profil' tab by clicking on the 'Meine Tickets' button.
Show moreFlap up, screen on: With the help of the new Bayer 04 tactics truck, training content and match action for the Werkself as well as tactical graphics can now be shown and discussed on the training ground.
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