Xabi Alonso made three changes to the side that started Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League defeat at Liverpool as Robert Andrich and Jonas Hofmann came in for midfielders Exequiel Palacios and Aleix Garcia, while Schick got the nod over Victor Boniface up front. Bochum were playing their first game under new head coach Dieter Hecking and got stuck in from the start. The Werkself soon began to exert some control with possession, as the hosts sat back looking to counter from a solid base.
Bochum managed to keep the Werkself at bay for the first quarter of an hour before Hofmann’s quick free-kick from the halfway line to Florian Wirtz, who slipped in Schick running in behind up the inside left to finish beyond Patrick Drewes with the help of the inside of the far post. It turned into more of a one-sided affair after that, but the hosts stood firm and also started to create a few chances in transition. Bayer 04 maintained over 75 percent possession for much of the first half and very nearly had a second just after the half-hour mark, but Jeremie Frimpong’s finish from a Schick pass was saved by Drewes.
Alonso’s men continued to get forward after the break, with Alejandro Grimaldo and Schick having the first opportunities inside the first few minutes. But Bochum had some themselves and started to grow into the game in the second half. Lukas Hradecky and his defence were kept busy at times and also struggled to create much at the other end.
Nathan Tella was introduced for Hofmann on the hour to add some fresh impetus. Bochum also made changes, but it was Leverkusen who had the ball in the net next when Frimpong finished from Wirtz, but the latter was flagged offside in the build-up. As the game edged towards the end, the Werkself were still looking to put it to bed while Bochum grew in confidence. That finally paid off for the Bundesliga’s bottom side when Miyoshi slotted in an equaliser with 90 minutes on the clock.
It’s now the final international break of the year. Leverkusen return to action in a fortnight with a home game against Heidenheim on Saturday, 23 November (3.30pm CET) before a Champions League encounter with Red Bull Salzburg at the BayArena on Wednesday, 26 November (9pm).
Match stats:
Bochum: Drewes - Passlack (De Wit 78'), Oermann, Medic, Wittek - Sissoko, Losilla (Daschner 69') - Broschinski (Miyoshi 69'), Bero, Holtmann (Gamboa 69') - Hofmann
Bayer 04: Hradecky - Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie - Frimpong (Garcia 87'), Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo - Hofmann (Tella 63'), Wirtz - Schick (Boniface 77')
Goals: 0-1 Schick (18'), 1-1 Miyoshi (90')
Yellow cards: Schick
Referee: Robert Hartmann
Attendance: 26,000 (sold out) at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion
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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