Werkself review #B04KOE: ‘Derby gala performance against Köln’

Summary: Superior from start to finish

As expected, the derby started with intensity and lots of duels. The Werkself created several chances early on and deservedly took the lead on 22 minutes: Alejandro Grimaldo hit a low cross into the penalty area, Florian Wirtz backheeled the ball to Jonas Hofmann and he turned it into the net to round off an impressive move and opened the scoring. Grimaldo put another low cross into the Köln box ten minutes later and this time it was Jeremie Frimpong at the far post who slotted the ball into the back of net to make it 2-0 (32’). The Werkself remained dominant after the restart and scored the third goal on 67 minutes: Frimpong sent Hofmann through down the right and the number seven centred for Victor Boniface to score the third goal on 67 minutes. The match report is HERE.

Reaction: "One of the best performances of the season"

Head coach Xabi Alonso summed up the game as follows: "We are happy with the performance. It was one of our best. We created lots of chances and could have won by more. Now it's important to carry on being focused on our work." Granit Xhaka also commented on the high number of chances. The Switzerland international added: "We knew ahead of the game how important it was for us, the club and the fans. We played with confidence and took the three points. If we carry on like that then we can achieve big things."

Defender Jonathan Tah, one of the four Leverkusen players called up by Germany, also praised the strong Werkself display: "I'm very proud of the team and our performance. The support and atmosphere were outstanding. It's even better to give the fans something back. Now we go into the international break. I'm really looking forward to Germany but I'd would also be happy to carry on here. (He laughs)"

Köln head coach Steffen Baumgart said at the post-match press conference: "Leverkusen deserved to win. They were better than us in many areas. We weren't able to compete with them on equal terms today."

What the papers say: "Show of force"

The kicker began its match report with the following words: "The derby against Köln developed into a show of force by Bayer 04" and they also talked about a "Derby gala performance against Köln."

Other media praised the Werkself display too. The Süddeutsche Zeitung talked about the Werkself in terms of "technical perfection" and about a game where Leverkusen played "mesmerising football." The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger identified a "blatant difference in quality" in the two teams performances. The Rheinische Post reported: “The top-notch Bayer performance upset FC from the start." The RP gave top marks to Tah, Grimaldo, Hofmann and Wirtz.

Personnel: 250th Bundesliga game for Tah

Two Leverkusen players celebrated special milestones against Köln: Tah, who played the full 90 minutes in the derby, made his 250th Bundesliga appearance. Xhaka, who also went the full distance, played his 115th Bundesliga game.

Frimpong score to make it 2-0 with the 22nd Bayer 04 goal in the current Bundesliga campaign – equal top with VfB Stuttgart and also a record: The Werkself have never before scored as many goals in the first seven matchdays. Hofmann, who also scored against the team from the cathedral city, clocked up another record: The 31-year-old, previously involved in at least one goal in every Bundesliga match this term, scored his fourth goal of the season finding the back of the net three times in successive games for the first time in his playing career. The Germany international was also voted Man of the Match by Bayer 04 fans.

Stats: Boniface fires 100th Bayer 04 shot on goal

The Werkself came out on top in most of the match statis. In addition to overwhelming possession (63.7% to 36.3%) plus better passing accuracy (92% to 81%) Leverkusen also had more shots on goal (23 to 7). Boniface also marked a special milestone: "The Nigerian hit the 100th shot on goal for Bayer 04 this season in the game against FC Köln – including 41 from himself.

Another record: Bayer 04 have won six out of the first seven Bundesliga matches (plus a draw at Bayern Munich). The Werkself are also unbeaten in ten games – the last time that happened at the start of the season was in 1995/96 when the first defeat under Erich Ribbeck came in the fifteenth match.

Outlook: Wolfsburg after the international break

The Werkself now go into a two-week international break to be followed by an away game at VfL Wolfsburg on Bundesliga matchday eight. The game at the Volkswagen Arena is on Saturday 21 October (kick-off: 15.30 CEST). That is followed five days later by the next group match in the UEFA Europa League: The Werkself are at home to Qarabag on Thursday 26 October (kick-off: 21.00 CEST).