12.11.2022Bundesliga

Impressive 2-0 win for the Werkself against Stuttgart

A third win in succession: The Werkself beat VfB Stuttgart 2-0 on Bundesliga matchday 15 in the last competitive match in the current calendar year. 30,210 spectators in a sell-out crowd at the BayArena saw an impressive performance by head coach Xabi Alonso's team from the start. Moussa Diaby (30') scored with a deflected shot from distance and Jonathan Tah doubled the lead eight minutes before time from a Kerem Demirbay corner. The Werkself are now eleventh in the Bundesliga.

Xabi Alonso again opted for a 3-4-3 line-up with three players coming into the team: Edmond Tapsoba, Jonathan Tah and Piero Hincapie started in defence again but there were changes in midfield: Kerem Demirbay came in for Robert Andrich and the Spanish coach chose to play Amine Adli and Nadiem Amiri in place of Adam Hlozek und Callum Hudson-Odoi. The 30,210 spectators in the full house at the BayArena saw a fast game from the start. Both teams primarily looked to have as much possession as possible with the action mainly happening in midfield. Neither side were able to find the decisive pass.

The first chance of the game fell to the hosts on ten minutes: After a one-two with Moussa Diaby, Jeremie Frimpong raced down the right flank and whipped in a cross to the far post for Adli but the Stuttgart defence was able to put the Frenchman off.

diaby puts werkself 1-0 up

Jonathan Tah and Co. were solid in defence and gave nothing away. And the Werkself gradually edged forwards towards the opposition box. An attack on 27 minutes saw the ball end up with Diaby. The Frenchman tried his luck from a tight angle on the right with a shot to the top left corner but the VfB goalkeeper Florian Müller was able to make the save. Two minutes later, teammate Adli just missed out following a corner from Demirbay with a shot from twelve yards out.

The attacking approach from the Black and Reds was rewarded on the half-hour mark: Diaby made a solo run in the Stuttgart half from the halfway line, cut inside and shot with his left foot. The strike was deflected by Waldemar Anton leaving keeper Müller with no chance of making a save and the ball ended up in the back of the net to give Bayer 04 the lead at 1-0. Demirbay had a chance to make it 2-0 one minute before the end of the first 45 with a free kick from 20 yards out. However his effort hit the side netting. The Werkself took the one-goal advantage into the half-time break.

Tap-in from tah to double the lead

Leverkusen continued in the same vein after the restart with the once again impressive Frimpong (48', 49', 52') posing a threat to the opposition goal. The Dutchman, who was named in the Netherlands World Cup squad the day before, was involved again on 63 minutes: This time a diagonal pass from substitute Hlozek found Diaby. The latter raced forwards and saw Frimpong in the middle but his volley hit the bar.

Again and again it was Frimpong and Diaby: The attacking duo were able to cause trouble for the VfB defence on 77 minutes. Diaby played a high ball to Frimpong at the far post and he slotted away but the strike was ruled offside. However, it did not take long for the lead to be doubled.

With eight minutes to play, Exequiel Palacios headed on a corner from Demirbay to find Tah at the far post in the right spot. The defender just had to stick out his foot to make it 2-0.

#Bayer04USATour and friendly in Glasgow

The Werkself set off on the #Bayer04USATour tomorrow Sunday 13 November. The Black and Reds will play a friendly in the Missouri city of St Louis against the newly formed team in the Major League soccer (MLS), St Louis CITY Soccer Club. The match will also be the opening event at the new CITYPARK Stadium (kick-off: 16 November, 19.00 local time/02.00 CET, 17 November). During the stay there are also events planned with Bayer AG employees as well as involvement in community projects and cultural activities.

Then, after a two-week break, Lukas Hradecky and Co. will start the first part of the winter preparations. Leverkusen have a first friendly against Rangers at Ibrox on 10 December (kick-off: 13.00 GMT, 14.00 CET)..

Match stats:

Bayer 04: Hradecky – Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie – Frimpong (Fosu-Mensah 90'), Palacios, Demirbay (Azhil 90'), Bakker – Diaby (Bellarabi 86’), Amiri (Sinkgraven 86’), Adli (Hlozek 59’)

VfB Stuttgart: Müller – Vagnoman (Coulibaly 66’), Anton, Zagadou, Ito – Millot (Ulrich 84’), Karazor, Ahmada – Tomas (Pfeiffer 66’), Guirassy, Führich (Perea 84’)

Goals: 1-0 Diaby (30’), 2-0 Tah (82’)

Booked: Amiri – Zagadou, Führich, Tomas

Referee: Florian Badstübner (Windsbach)

Attendance: 30,210 (sell-out) at the BayArena

Related News

Youth - 12.06.2026

U17 coach Benjamin Adam leaves Bayer 04 for Rostock

After eight years in the youth set-up at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Benjamin Adam is leaving the club. The 35-year-old, who most recently coached the Leverkusen U17s, will take charge of the Hansa Rostock U19 team next season.

Women - 10.06.2026

Women: International round-up - Wamser and Kramer in World Cup finals

There was a successful end to the women's internationals with Werkself players Carlotta Wamser and Cornelia Kramer qualifying for the 2027 World Cup finals in Brazil. A third Leverkusen player is still in with a chance of joining them. The Germany U23 players also experienced success in their last two international friendlies of the season.

Bayer 04 - 10.06.2026

Where to Watch the Bayer 04 Stars in North America

Traveling to North America for the World Cup this summer to see your favorite Bayer 04 players? Here’s a quick cheat sheet with thumbnail portraits and insider tips for each city from a local expert, so you can make the most of your visit and activities beyond the game!

Bayer 04 - 09.06.2026

New seating for the BayArena - donation and reuse of existing seats

A fresh look for the BayArena: The Bayer 04 stadium will have new seating in the form of folding seats for the 2026/27 campaign that will ensure significantly improved seating comfort and simplified movement within the rows of seats. As part of routine replacement after 17 years, fans of the Werkself were able to purchase the existing seats, used to witness the first German league title in the club's history. In addition, a large proportion of the seats will be donated to charitable projects, primarily in the local region. Bayer 04 fans can look forward to new, functional folding seats for the season opener at the beginning of August - still in the club colours of black and red, of course. A glimpse at the BayArena during the refurbishment.