Werkself review #B04BOC: League leaders under the cross and the treem

Summary: Resolutely on course

The visitors from Bochum made the better start to the final match in 2023. Then a foul by the VfL keeper Riemann on Patrik Schick, making his first start in a Bundesliga match since October 2022, led to a penalty. The Czechia international took the spot kick himself and scored the first goal of the game (30'). The dam was broken. One minute later, Jeremie Frimpong made an impressive run down the right flank and crossed to Schick who volleyed it into the net to make it 2-0. The swift brace saw the hosts take control of the game and there were then chances for Frimpong (34') and Alejandro Grimaldo (43'). The third goal came in added time in the first half and again it was Schick who put the Werkself 3-0 up at half-time. Remarkably: The centre forward put three of his four shots on goal in the back of the net. It was also his second perfect Bundesliga hat-trick in the Bayer 04 shirt – only Ulf Kirsten also managed that twice playing for the Werkself. The Black and Reds remained on top in the second half. Victor Boniface replaced Schick on 67 minutes and he was in the same goalscoring mood as his fellow striker: The Nigeria international increased the lead to 4-0 two minutes later after an impressive through ball from Florian Wirtz. The match report.

There was also a lot going on away from the pitch at the BayArena: Before the game, thousands of Bayer 04 fans provided a spectacular welcome to the team bus on Bismarck Straße. Fernando Carro, Bayer 04 CEO, provided emotional words to the fans in the stadium and also honoured Club member number 40,0000. There was an emotional proposal of marriage at half-time. After full-time, the team celebrated in front of the North Stand. A successful night of football came to an atmospheric end. The team, fans and staff sang two Christmas carols accompanied by the Saint Stephen youth choir from Leverkusen with the lights at the BayArena dimmed.  

Reaction: "The fans dream and we're working on it"

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Xabi Alonso summed up the game as follows: "The first 30 minutes weren't easy for us. We took control after the first and second goals were scored. The players showed strong mentality." The Spaniard was also impressed with the reception for the team bus: "The fans gave us good energy before the game. We feel that in every game: the atmosphere, the hope and the motivation. The fans dream and we're working on it."

Lukas Hradecky said after the game: "The whole of 2023 is unforgettable – first the European adventure and now progressing through the new season without a defeat to date. We have played good football, rewarded ourselves and had a great run up to now. We have the quality and also impressive individual performances." Looking forward to next year, the keeper said: "We aren't thinking about records in the dressing room, we just want to win every game. We have everything to play for in 2024. We dreamed of being in such a position and we will continue to give our all day by day."

And the scorer of the hat-trick Schick said: "I couldn't have imagined it being any better. My daughter was here today. Also at the last game against Frankfurt. After that game she asked why I didn't score a goal. That's why I'm happy that she saw three today. The celebration was for her. (He laughed). But I've got incredible quality behind me with the Flo, Jonas and all the others. That makes it quite easy for me as a striker."

What the papers say: Top marks for Schick

The Rheinische Post opts for the headline: "Leverkusen tear Bochum apart." The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung headline reads: "Bayer Leverkusen running away with it." The Kölnische Rundschau report: "Historic, masterful, festive. Bayer Leverkusen provided all these attributes on the final Bundesliga matchday of the year." A similar view was taken by the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger: "Everything is currently going to plan at Bayer Leverkusen and that's almost corny." The newspaper and the kicker awarded top marks to Schick. He was joined in the kicker Team of matchday 16 by Frimpong, Grimaldo and Wirtz. The trio were also included in the Bundesliga top team of the Hinrunde named by Bravo-Sport.

Personnel: Boniface continues in top form

Boniface scored his tenth goal of the season in his sixteenth Bundesliga match for Leverkusen with only Patrick Helmes and Chicharito achieving that in less appearances for the Werkself (13 each). Boniface also clocked up 17 goal involvements in his sixteenth Bundesliga game – only two players have needed less games for their first 17 goal involvements since records have been kept: Diego in 2006 (15) and Harry Kane (9).

A notable incident in defence happened at the start of the second half: With the scoreline at 3-0, Piero Hincapie raced after the Bochum striker Christopher Antwi-Adjej, who was clearly offside, with full conviction and he made a crucial last ditch challenge. A move that represents the absolute determination of the Werkself players at any point in a game.

Stats: Another club record

The numbers speak for themselves: Bayer 04 had 16 shots on goal, the visitors six. 46 goals after 16 Bundesliga games is also a new club record for the Werkself – the previous best was 42 in 2001/02. The Werkself also had 69.2% possession. Bochum did win 52.1% of all duels. Leverkusen had 88% pass completion and VfL 69.3%.

Bayer 04 also have the best defence in this current Bundesliga campaign with twelve goals conceded so far. The last time the Werkself conceded less goals after the first 16 league games was 14 years ago (it was eleven in 2009/10).

Outlook: First Christmas and then Venezia

Lukas Hradecky and Co. now go into a well-earned winter break. The Alonso team return to training on Wednesday 3 January. The first friendly in the new year is four days later with a 15.00 CET kick-off at the BayArena against Venezia. Tickets are available HERE.