Werkself review #B04FCH: Bayer quality on display

Summary: Never gave up after going behind

With two changes to the starting XI compared with the 1-1 draw in Bochum before the international break, Bayer 04 were on top at the start of the game but then suffered two early setbacks: Niklas Dorsch (10') and Mathias Honsak (21') scored for FC Heidenheim. The Werkself did not give up and converted their superiority on the pitch into a double whammy with two goals in two minutes: Exequiel Palacios on the turn (30') and Patrik Schick with an impressive lob (32') levelled the scoreline. It was 2-2 at half-time with Nathan Tella replacing Jeremie Frimpong just before the break. Schick scored his second goal of the afternoon minutes after the restart (52') – the turnaround completed. That was followed by goal number three and a hat-trick for the Czechia international (71') plus the fifth strike for Leverkusen from Granit Xhaka (82') for the final score of 5-2. HERE is the match report.

Reaction: "Never give up and always believe in yourself"

Head coach Xabi Alonso summed up the match after the game as follows: "The first half was tough for us, both in terms of football and mentally. Heidenheim caused us a lot of stress in midfield and they played some good man marking. The first goal from Pala was therefore very important to restore belief. The equaliser meant we could be somewhat more relaxed at the start of the second half. We had more stability and were also better mentally. It was a game where a lot happened and we had to put a lot of things right to win the match. But we got the three points in the end."

Hat-trick hero Patrik Schick said: "A win with a hat-trick – it can’t be better. Fortunately we scored the equaliser before half-time and we were almost perfect in the second half. We want to build on that in the coming weeks." Arthur, who provided the assist for Schick's third goal, declared: "It was a special game for me. I'm very proud of the team and very happy with the home win. My family and friends were here and that makes it even better!"

Granit Xhaka announced his third child is on the way with his goal celebration at 5-2. The Switzerland international said after the home win: "It was a very good team performance in the end even if we obviously imagined a different start to the game. Today we showed what's made us so strong over the past 18 months since I arrived here: never give up and always believe in yourself."

What the papers say: "Lots of Bayer 04 from last season"

The kicker headline reads "First a brace, then a hat-trick: Bayer turn game around against Heidenheim," the Bild am Sonntag "First horror, then Schick." Edmond Tapsoba, Exequiel Palacios and Patrik Schick will also in the BamS team of the day. The Rheinische Post report included: "Bayer looked clueless at the start. [...] After half-time, Leverkusen showed their quality more and more. [...]“

The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger identified a "resurgence" by the Werkself. And added: "After the restart, we saw a lot of Bayer 04 from last season: lots of ball control, ambitious attacks and rigorous defending." The summary from the newspaper: "Turning this game round was enormously important for the double winners otherwise they could have been in a serious crisis. But it's a sign of the strength of the team to be able to forget the first 25 minutes. Nevertheless, Xabi Alonso will have to work on his team’s slow start. But confidence should have risen. That's important for the seven games before Christmas."

Personnel: Schick in footsteps of Kirsten

The key player of the match was obviously Patrik Schick who has scored in two Bundesliga games in succession for the first time since May. His hat-trick against Heidenheim was his third for Bayer 04 in the Bundesliga – only Ulf Kirsten (seven) has clocked up more in a Leverkusen jersey. Head coach Xabi Alonso said in response to a question about the Czechia international: "We have once again seen Patrik's great quality – above all his second goal was top!"

More good news: Arthur played in the Bundesliga again for the first time since the end of August and he produced an impressive display – including as the provider for Schick to make it 4-2. Also, the U19 centre-forward Artem Stepanov was in the senior squad first time in the Bundesliga and the second time in total after the DFB Pokal first round tie in Jena (1-0).

Stats: Almost 80 per cent possession and record number of passes

Under Xabi Alonso, Bayer 04 have never conceded two goals in a game as quickly as against FC Heidenheim (21 minutes). But the Werkself showed their resilience and hit back. After goals from Exequiel Palacios and Patrik Schick the record shows 16 goals in the first 45 minutes – more than any other Bundesliga side. The Werkself have already picked up nine points after being behind in the current Bundesliga campaign – more than any other team. For the first time since April 2016, Leverkusen came back from 2-0 down to win a Bundesliga game (3-2 at Schalke 04).

Bayer 04 also had a clear advantage in terms of the match stats: 20 shots on goal to 6, 79% possession and a significantly better pass completion rate (91% to 72%) speak volumes. The Werkself also played an impressive 947 passes – the highest number from a team in this Bundesliga season. FCH only came out on top in duels (55%).

Outlook: Busy fixture list up to Christmas

The Werkself have three busy weeks coming up. FC Salzburg visit the BayArena on Tuesday, 26 November (kick-off: 21.00 CET) on Matchday 5 in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League 2024/25. That is followed by two games on the road at Union Berlin (Saturday, 30 November, 15.30 CET) and away to Bayern Munich (Tuesday, 3 December, 20.45 CET) in the DFB Pokal Round of 16. The other opponents before the end of the year are FC St. Pauli, Inter Milan, FC Augsburg and SC Freiburg.