Werkself beat Paderborn in 3-2 thriller

"It was a really tough game for us. Paderborn are very quick up front and have a clear style of play. It was a very open and even game. The three points are really important for us to make a good start to the season and to go into the next game in a positive mood," said Bayer 04 sporting director Simon Rolfes. Scorer of the winning goal, Kevin Volland said: "Paderborn were very good in attack and we lost the ball on occasions and didn't defend well at times. In the end we had to battle to get the victory."

Great reception from the fans

There is huge excitement amongst the Bayer 04 fans over the new season: Several thousand supporters in Black and Red prepared a triumphal reception for their Werkself as they arrived in the team bus on Bismarckstraße. Coach Peter Bosz made four changes from the starting eleven in the DFB Cup game at Aachen: Lukas Hradecky returned in goal to replace Rambo Özcan, captain Lars Bender, Julian Baumgartlinger and Leon Bailey came in for Aleksandar Dragovic, Karim Bellarabi and Nadiem Amiri. The only new signing in the team was Kerem Demirbay.

The match started at a tremendous pace with both teams immediately trying to get on the front foot. The first chance of the game fell to the hosts early on: Charles Aránguiz fired in an effort from distance but his shot flew a yard wide of the left-hand upright (4'). As expected, Paderborn endeavoured to get forward at every opportunity and the game soon developed into a lively exchange. The Werkself moved up a gear and took the lead: Lars Bender put Kevin Volland through with a fine diagonal ball and he cut inside and shot with his left foot. Leon Bailey was on the right spot to force the ball in to make it 1-0 on ten minutes.

Great lob from Havertz

Celebrations did not last long. A misplaced pass from Julian Baumgartlinger saw Sven Michel race through to hit a low shot from the edge of the box into the corner of the net to make it 1-1 on 50 minutes. The Austrian did well to recover from his mistake: It was great the way ‘Baumi’ picked out Kai Havertz in the middle and he demonstrated his exceptional technique with a lob over the SCP keeper Jannick Huth. 2-1 to Leverkusen on 19 minutes. As predicted by Peter Bosz ("There's a very good chance that the game won't end in a goalless draw"), it was a very entertaining encounter.

Paderborn were again quick to hit back: Christopher Antwi-Adjei broke through down the left and a shot from Michel was saved by Wendell with his hands but Mamba hit the rebound into the back of the net to make it 2-2 on 25 minutes. The Brazilian was shown a yellow card. The visitors punished a mistake in the Werkself defence for a second time. Shortly after that, Lars Bender collided with Jamilu Collins and he had to go off the pitch (33'). While Bender was being treated, Bayer 04, down to ten men, were just able to prevent Sebastian Vasiliadis shooting on goal (35').

Good luck before the break

Bayer 04 were extremely lucky when Antwi-Adjei was unable to connect with a whipped-in cross from Michel on 42 minutes. Vasiliadis hit a shot a minute later towards the Bayer 04 net but Hradecky was able to punch clear. Referee Tobias Stieler was then able to draw an extremely entertaining first 45 minutes to a close.

Aleksandar Dragovic replaced Lars Bender at the start of the second half. Wendell moved up on the left, Bailey switched to the right flank to take up Bender's position. Bayer 04 were now determined to grain control and stability. Bosz made an attacking substitution just after the hour mark when he brought on Bellarabi for Baumgartlinger (62'). Bellarabi played in his usual position on the right and Bailey switched sides again. Shortly after that came the first really good chance for Leverkusen after the restart: After a cross from the left from Bailey, Kevin Volland headed the ball back across Huth but his effort missed the goal by a whisker (65'). That could have put the Werkself ahead again.

Havertz, Wendell, Volland – Goal

That came four minutes later. Havertz put Wendell through on the left and Volland coolly converted the low cross with his right foot to make it 3-2 (69'). That meant all three Leverkusen goalscorers in the DFB Cup tie at Aachen had scored again today. Bayer 04 looked to add to the lead and were unlucky that Bailey just missed from a pass from Havertz (73’). At the other end, Hradecky was called into action to save a shot from Antwi-Adjei (76').

Victory was then almost sealed: A cross from Bellarabi saw Havertz miss the chance to make it 4-2 as the ball bobbled up just before he shot (86'). Bailey missed an easy chance in a one-on-one with Huth as the Paderborn keeper saved his lob (87'). Alario then came on to replace the Jamaican (80'). The final whistle came four minutes later and the BayArena crowd celebrated the home win in style.

The Werkself are back in action next Saturday (24 August, 15.30 CET) with an away game at Fortuna Düsseldorf, who won their opening game 3-1 away to Werder Bremen.

Match stats:

Bayer 04: Hradecky – Tah, S. Bender, Wendell – Baumgartlinger (Bellarabi 62'), Aránguiz – L. Bender (Dragovic 46'), Havertz, Demirbay, Bailey (Alario 88') – Volland

SC Paderborn: Huth – Dräger (Zolinski 84'), Strohdiek, Hünemeier, Collins – Gjasula, Vasiliadis – Pröger (Holtmann 70'), Antwi-Adjei – Mamba (Oliveira Sousa 60'), Michel

Goals: 1-0 Bailey (10’), 1-1 Michel (15’), 2-1 Havertz (19’), 2-2 Mamba (25’), 3-2 Volland (69’)

Referee: Tobias Stieler (Hamburg)

Booked: Wendell, Dragovic

Attendance: 26,218