In his first match as coach of Bayer 04, Xabi Alonso made one change to the starting line-up compared with the 2-0 defeat at Porto in the Champions League group match: Mitchel Bakker started in place of Adam Hlozek, who dropped down to the bench.
The Werkself, fully focused in terms of tactics, found the back of the Schalke net after ten minutes for the first time with an impressive finish by Charles Aránguiz. However, referee Tobias Stieler spotted a foul in the build-up and the goal by the Alonso team was chalked off. Bayer 04 continued to control the ball and the game and mostly attacked down the right flank with the lively Jeremie Frimpong and Moussa Diaby. And on 25 minutes there was another goalscoring opportunity with a deflected shot by Patrik Schick.
The Werkself took a long time to find their way through the solid Schalke 04 defence until the 38th minute: Diaby tried his luck from 20 yards out from a central position and his strong left foot fired the ball into the top right corner – the deserved lead for the Black and Reds (38'). Less than three minutes later, Frimpong was rewarded for his impressive performance up to that point: The right wing-back hit a shot from a tight angle into the far corner to double the lead at 2-0 (41'). The Alonso team took that lead into half-time.
Less than ten minutes were played in the second half when the Werkself netted the third goal: Having won the ball in their own penalty area there was a fast counter-attack that ended with Diaby setting up Frimpong in the opposition box – and he coolly slotted the ball into the bottom right corner to make it 3-0 (53'). The Werkself kept it tight at the back and constantly tested the opposition. Substitute Paulinho rounded off the scoring to make it 4-0 (90').
There's hardly any time to rest for the Black and Reds: Porto visit the BayArena on Wednesday 12 October (kick-off: 21.00 CEST) on matchday four in UEFA Champions League Group B. Three days later the Alonso team are away to Eintracht Frankfurt. That match kicks off at 15.30 CEST on Saturday 15 October.
Match stats:
Bayer 04: Hradecky – Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie (Kossounou 88') - Frimpong, Aránguiz (Demirbay 64'), Andrich, Bakker - Diaby (Adli 64'), Schick (Hlozek 72'), Hudson-Odoi (Paulinho 88')
Schalke 04: Schwolow – Brunner, Greiml, Yoshida (Latza 79'), Mohr (Ouwejan 46') - Drexler (Mollet 64'), Krauß, Flick (Kral 64'), Bülter - Polter (Aydin 46'), Terodde
Goals: 1-0 Diaby (38’), 2-0 Frimpong (41’), 3-0 Frimpong (53’), 4-0 Paulinho (90’)
Booked: Hincapie - Yoshida
Referee: Tobias Stieler (Obertshausen)
Attendance: 30,210 (sell out) at the BayArena
With seven points, Mainz 05 are currently joint seventh, level on points with sixth-placed Bayer 04. In today’s head-to-head clash (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself must be particularly wary of the clinical Mainz strike duo. For Leverkusen fans who have left it to the last minute, there are still a few tickets available from the matchday ticket office. Those following the Black and Reds from home, on the other hand, have a choice: RTL is broadcasting the match on free-to-air TV, and Werkself Radio is also offering the expert commentary of former Bayer 04 player Falko Götz. Today’s matchday news.
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Back from the international break: On Saturday 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to Mainz 05. Ahead of the clash at the MEWA ARENA against the side currently sixth in the table, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the team’s work during the extended international break. The Spaniard also commented, when asked, on a number of squad matters, including Ibrahim Maza.
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FSV Mainz 05 went into the international break on the back of an away win at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Currently sixth in the table, the Rheinhessen side – who have been impressive on the road – now aim to continue their good start to the Bundesliga campaign at home when they face the Werkself on Saturday, 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). In terms of squad selection, Urs Fischer once again has more options at his disposal. Up front, the Mainz coach is likely to continue relying on what is currently the league’s most successful strike partnership. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Thomas Eichin has been working for Bayer 04 for six years – as Director of Professional Teams since July 2023 – and has contributed to the successful development of our club in many areas. Today, Friday 9 October, Freiburg-born Eichin is celebrating his 60th birthday. We wish him a very happy birthday.
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Together with his family, friends and close associates, Bayer 04 Leverkusen bid farewell to Peter Hermann. The club’s long-serving assistant manager passed away on 19 September following a serious illness. Today, Thursday 8 October, Bayer 04 held an event attended by around 200 invited guests to commemorate Peter Hermann’s legacy. Representatives from the DFB and the other professional clubs where Hermann worked paid their respects to him at the BayArena.
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