#FCUB04 review: Promising start for the Werkself

summary: impressive response

A Bundesliga start away to an incredibly strong home team and then to go a goal down after just seven minutes through a strike from Awoniyi: Bayer 04 coped with early irritation at the Alte Försterei stadium and deservedly earned a point in the 1-1 draw. The Werkself were clearly on top up to half-time after the leveller from Moussa Diaby (12'). Hosts Union Berlin only had chances in the closing stages of a hard-fought encounter. HERE is the match report

REACTION: "the teaM can go far"

The reaction from the Werkself players was similar after the match: agreed with their own performance but not necessarily with the result. "I'm not happy with the point but I am with the performance – it was okay for an opening game against an opponent playing in Europe. The team is growing together and that was evident," said the skipper Lukas Hradecky.

And coach Gerardo Seoane looks forward with confidence after the partial success in the opening match: "I enjoyed it, above all in the way my team played. I go home happy but I know that there is still work to do. We trained well last week and worked on a number of issues. I feel something’s coming together with us. Of course, there will be setbacks but I think our team can go far – it has great potential."

Personnel: Moussa 'Man of the Match'

In addition to coach Gerardo Seoane, two players had their first Bundesliga outing on Saturday at the Alte Försterei: Mitchel Bakker and Odilon Kossounou made their debuts in Germany's top flight. Both players did well, particularly the Dutchman who gave little away on his left flank. But for the Twitter followers of Bayer 04 it was absolutely clear who the best player was in white kit in Berlin: In the vote for ‘Man of the Match’, Moussa Diaby received 43.8% of the votes ahead of Mitchel Bakker (27.9%) and Lukas Hradecky (17.1%).

Stats: better in all areas

There was no winner in the game but the Werkself were on top in relevant statistics. Twice as many shots on goal as the opponents, twice as much possession, and ahead in the tackling and pass completion numbers: The great effort by Gerardo Seoane's team is clearly reflected in the stats. In a dominant first half performance, the stats were clearly in favour of Bayer 04.

what the papers say: "a positive response"

The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger assesses the Bayer 04 performance as follows in its online edition: "A line-up that had never played together before took control of proceedings and dominated the Berliners up to half-time in all measurable aspects of the game. 70% possession, 60% of challenges one and lots more shots on goal demonstrated performance that coach Gerardo Seoane could be happy with. It was a positive response given the problematic build-up due to the changes to the squad, international call-ups and injuries.”

Just like the Bayer 04 fans on Twitter, the Rheinische Post picked out Moussa Diaby as the outstanding player in their individual analysis: "The Frenchman showed before the 1-1 scoreline the irresistible combination for him and for football aficionados of explosive pace, flexibility and dribbling – crowned by a placed shot into the far corner that reflected the demand from coach Gerardo Seoane for the 22-year-old to up his game in terms of goals and assists after the departure of Leon Bailey."

The Tagesspiegel from Berlin also highlights the personnel situation: "In contrast to Leverkusen who had several important players missing through injury in Florian Wirtz, Lucas Alario and Edmond Tapsoba, Union coach Urs Fischer had almost his best team at his disposal.”

outlook: first home game is top match

Spectators are set to return to the BayArena and there is the prospect of a cracker in the opening game: The Werkself entertain Rhineland neighbours Borussia Mönchengladbach in the top match on matchday two on Saturday, 21 August (kick-off: 18.30 CEST). As with Bayer 04, Gladbach kicked off their season with a 1-1 draw on Friday night against Bayern Munich. The previous clash of the two teams in Leverkusen produced an exciting thriller: Leverkusen won a gripping exchange 4-3 in November 2020.