"The opening stages of the game clearly belonged to Leverkusen, who were committed, played high up the pitch with all the players in the Dortmund half at times, and looked to press," was the assessment in the Rheinische Post. The best chances for the Werkself fell to Nadiem Amiri (5') and Moussa Diaby (16') but the first goal of the game was scored by the visitors from Dortmund. Julian Brandt provided the assist for Karim Adeyemi to give BVB a 1-0 lead (33'). Edmond Tapsoba was unlucky to score an own goal in the second 45 minutes to make it 2-0 (53'). At the other end, Leverkusen were unable to beat the Dortmund keeper Gregor Kobel with the result that the Werkself ended the game with no points after a run of five Bundesliga wins.
"We definitely had our chances today but we didn't use space well and we weren’t sharp enough – we just made too many mistakes," said Jonathan Tah after the final whistle. His teammate Robert Andrich agreed: "The crucial factor today was converting chances. The smarter team definitely won today. But we never let our heads drop and always tried to keep on going." Head coach Xabi Alonso also looked forwards at the post-match press conference: "After five wins we had to accept defeat today. Of course, our target remains European qualification but we have to pick up a lot of points for that. Now we are looking forward to Friday where we can expect an intense match in Augsburg."
Seven is the number - That is the number of shots by the Werkself forward Moussa Diaby against Borussia Dortmund. However, the 23-year-old Frenchman was mostly denied by the BVB keeper Gregor Kobel. And the Rheinische Post also saw Diaby as the "stand-out player in the flexible Werkself attack," but the best scorer and provider for Bayer 04 (six goals, three assists) this term was unable to add to his tally on the night.
A look at the stats reveals the number of goals scored was the only one favouring the visitors from Dortmund in the game: The Werkself had 56.7% possession, won more challenges (54.2%) and had a better pass completion rate (86%, BVB: 81.2%). In addition, Moussa Diaby and Co. had three times as many shots on goal as the opposition.
The Leverkusener Anzeiger describes the opening stages as follows: "Bayer 04 could have had the edge in the game that they dreamed of. The fact there were no more chances than the one (Diaby was kept out by the BVB keeper Gregor Kobel on 70 minutes, ed.) was down to the Werkself themselves as they were unable to use the space created after winning possession." The kicker talks about a "setback for Bayer in the battle for Europe," the "most impressive start" by the Werkself went unrewarded on the night.
The Werkself are back in action as soon as Friday night 3 February with an away game at FC Augsburg. The fixture in Bavaria marks the start of Bundesliga matchday 19 and the kick-off is at 20.30 CET.
Bayer 04 are then at home again with the Black and Reds with TSG Hoffenheim the visitors on 11 February at 15.30 CET.
The Black and Reds kick off the new Bundesliga campaign today, Saturday 29 August (kick-off 15:30 CEST), away to newly promoted SV 07 Elversberg – and the Werkself will come up against a familiar face who is currently causing a stir at ‘Elv’. For an affordable and easy journey to the Saarland, the 1,600 travelling fans can still use the WERKSELFgo car-share platform. Today’s matchday news..
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The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
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The Bundesliga is back. On Saturday 29 August (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to SV 07 Elversberg on matchday 1 of the new season. Ahead of the clash at the URSAPHARM Arena on Kaiserlinde, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the importance of a successful start and the motivation of the league newcomers from the Saarland.
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On Friday afternoon, it will be decided which eight of the 36 participating teams Bayer 04 will face in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League in 2026/27. At the draw in Monaco (live on UEFA.com), the Werkself will be drawn against two teams from each of the four pots, allocated according to the UEFA club coefficient. A match against an opponent from the same country is ruled out, as is facing more than two clubs from the same national association. Here’s a look at the pots and potential opponents.
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After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
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