Werkself review #B04FCSP: ‘We needed this performance’

Summary: In control and in command in the air

In addition to a great deal of control and clinical finishing once again, the Werkself played with joy on this Carnival Saturday as the team under Kasper Hjulmand had set out to do. On the front foot from the start, Jarell Quansah (13’) and Patrik Schick (14’) broke initial resistance from the Kiezkicker early on with two headed goals, before Edmond Tapsoba scored the third Bayer 04 goal with his head after the break (52'). With 78 per cent possession, the Black and Reds then moved the ball around at will and struck for a fourth time: The impressive Ernest Poku tried his luck from 18 metres out and hammered the ball into the right-hand corner of the net (78'). The Dutchman's fifth goal of the season was a worthy finale to a ruthless performance by Leverkusen, who celebrated their fourth home win in a row with their fans, who were suitably dressed up for carnival.

• Match report
• Match highlights
• Full match

Reaction: "Want to use the game as a boost"

"We put in a very good performance against a very good team and were particularly strong on the ball today," said a happy Kasper Hjulmand, who considered his team's good performance to be particularly important in view of the last few games: "That was missing then, which is why we needed it today and we want to use it as a boost for the next games." The Dane had particular praise for his analysts and assistant coaches: "The work on the set pieces was great. We scored two goals and didn't concede any."

Ernest Poku was delighted with his ninth goal of the season: "I'm very grateful for the trust placed in me by the coach and the whole team." However, the Dutchman was also eager to move on: "We'll enjoy this win now and from tomorrow we will focus on Olympiacos. I hope I can score more goals and provide more assists."

"It feels really good to have contributed to this win offensively as well," said goalscorer Jarell Quansah and he also saw the manner of the 4-0 home win as key: "We needed to dominate this game like that today. That was a good performance, now we have ten games in quick succession and we want to win as many of them as possible." Playing as a relatively new team with a constantly changing starting line-up is particularly difficult: "I have the feeling people sometimes forget that. That's why my respect goes to all the lads who don't play every week but still deliver a top performance when they're needed."

• Post-match reaction
• Post-match press conference

What the papers say: "Leverkusen don't give St. Pauli a chance"

"Carnival atmosphere in Leverkusen" was the headline in the Bild newspaper, while the Rheinische Post saw a "commanding" Werkself performance. The kicker also recognised "self-confidence and dominance" in Leverkusen's game and summed up: "Leverkusen don't give St. Pauli a chance." In its individual review, the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger praised Edmond Tapsoba's "strong performance" and found: "The attack with Ibrahim Maza and Ernest Poku was impressive."

Personnel: Tapsoba on top form

While winter signing Tim Oermann was in the Bayer 04 squad for the first time against St. Pauli, Exequiel Palacios made his second appearance in the starting XI following his injury - and immediately got stuck in: The Argentinian had the most touches of the ball action in the first half.

Alongside Jarell Quansah, who was delighted to score his second Bundesliga goal, fellow defender Edmond Tapsoba was also on target once again. The Burkina Faso international netted his fourth goal of the season in his 17th appearance, meaning he has not only scored more times this season than in all six previous seasons put together (3 goals in 157 games). He is also the centre-back with the most goal involvements (four goals, two assists) in the top five leagues.

Patrik Schick also impressed once again as an important target man and clinical finisher. It was the Czechia international's third goal in his fourth match against FC St. Pauli.

Stats: Impressive aerial action early on

Bayer 04 have come out on top in six of their last seven matches against the Kiezkicker. That means that there is still no opponents the Werkself have faced so often in the Bundesliga this millennium without defeat (six wins, two draws).

In addition, the Black and Reds have now scored in each of their last 13 home matches and have been particularly prolific in the opening quarter of an hour with eight goals - no other team has netted more often in the first 15 minutes. Once again, aerial supremacy against the Kiezkicker was a key to success: It is only the third time since records began in 2004/05 that Bayer 04 have scored three headers in a match, previously only achieved in May 2020 against Werder Bremen and in May 2006 against Hertha Berlin.

But the Werkself were not only strong up front against the Kiezkicker. At the back, the Black and Reds kept a clean sheet for the fourth time in 2026. Kasper Hjulmand can therefore continue to rely on the third-best defence in the top flight - and will certainly be pleased with his team's dominance, with this match won with 68 per cent - at times even over 78 per cent - possession. After the first 18 games, the Dane has now secured 35 points, the same number as Xabi Alonso at this stage.

Next up: Olympiacos and Union Berlin

The Werkself now have the next double-fixture weeks coming up: On Wednesday, 18 February (kick-off: 21:00 CET), they face Olympiacos in the first leg of the play-offs in the UEFA Champions League, before the next away game in the Bundesliga awaits on Saturday, 21 February, at 15:30 CET. The Black and Reds are away to Union Berlin at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei on matchday 23.