#B04M05 review: Patience leads to celebrations

Summary: Tight and cool

Leverkusen don’t just do the spectacular with early goals and wins with three or four goals, but they also keep things tight and efficient. After a reasonable first half, the team stepped things up after the break to earn the victory. Florian Wirtz got the only goal of the game just after the hour after excellent interplay with Jeremie Frimpong and a cool, calm finish that showed all of the 18-year-old’s potential and understanding of the game. Read more about the game in our match report HERE.

Reaction: Fast hands and a lot of energy

Gerardo Seoane emphasised the improved second 45 minutes from his troops. “It took a lot of patience. Mainz were well organised and we couldn‘t find space behind their back five at the start. We were then much more straightforward in the second half and managed more penetration. If that Mainz header had gone in at the end, that would’ve hurt,” the Werkself coach said.

Lukas Hradecky’s superb stop from Marcus Ingvartsen’s header denied the visitors an equaliser right at the death, and he was sure to receive praise from his teammates. “Lukas saved us in the end,” Frimpong said. The Bayer 04 goalkeeper and captain gladly took the plaudits: “If I have a special quality, then it’s reflexes and quick hands.” The Finland international also mentioned the strong support from the stands. “It’s an incredible energy that we get from the north stand and the whole stadium. That’s why we thanked the fans so extensively afterwards and celebrated with them. We wanted to show them just how much they mean to us.”

personnel: Frimpong strong at both ends

It goes without saying that goalscorer Wirtz and saviour Hradecky were the talk of the town afterwards. In addition, another strong performance from Frimpong also received much applause. The Dutchman was excellent in setting up the goal but was still solid in defence despite his attacking endeavours with his speed and runs. The 20-year-old had previously got a brace of assists in the 2-1 win over Ferencvaros in the Europa League. And the next fixture will be a special one for him in particular as ‘Jerry’ returns to his former club Celtic on Thursday.

stats: better in all areas

It’s ultimately all about the result, which the Werkself got. But they were also superior in terms of effort and fight against the 05ers. Leverkusen had 17 shots to Mainz’s 14, boasted 68% possession, came out on top in 54% of duels and were far better in their use of the ball, completing 85% of passes to the visitors’ 68%.

Press reaction: “Mainz cracked via the wings”

“A win through genius and fight” was the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger’s headline online. They added: “A playful and dominant Bayer 04 side cracked the tactically excellent Mainz defensive setup via the wings in the second half.” Bild am Sonntag focussed in depth on the youngest player to ever reach 10 Bundesliga goals: “Florian Wirtz is Bayer’s life insurance. Eight goal contributions (four goals, four assists): crazy!”

kicker also dedicated their online edition to Leverkusen’s match-winner: “Wirtz is averaging a hand in a goal every 37 minutes this season – the best rate in the league. His winner against Mainz was his eighth goal contribution, which is second only to Erling Haaland (11). Although Wirtz has only started three games, he’s still ahead of the likes of Robert Lewandowski (seven).” The Rheinische Post highlighted goalkeeper Hradecky’s display with their best possible rating: “The captain was tested by the likes of Dominik Kohr, Stefan Bell and even Marcus Ingvartsen in the 89th minute, but still kept his sheet clean.”

looking ahead: Bielefeld via glasgow

The games keep on coming for the Werkself. Next up is their Europa League trip to Scotland to face Celtic on Thursday (kick-off: 9pm CEST) as they look to build on the opening 2-1 win against Ferencvaros. The next Bundesliga game is then away at Arminia Bielefeld on Sunday, 3 October but at the unusual time of 7.30pm.