Werkself review #B04M05: Not the best performance, but happy with three points

Summary: Victory in hard-fought home game

The Werkself were celebrating as early as the 3rd minute: Granit Xhaka put Black & Red ahead early on with his first competitive goal for the club, but ex-Bayer Dominik Kohr replied immediately to make it 1-1 (8'). Things got particularly heated at the end of the first half when Jeremie Frimpong went down after a slight but clear contact as he raced towards goal. Referee Timo Gerach did not award a free-kick, but instead showed Frimpong and head coach Xabi Alonso a yellow card for expressing their dismay at the decision. Black & Red then regained the lead after the restart: Robert Andrich tried his luck from distance, and the ball slipped through the hands of ZeroFivers' keeper Robin Zentner (68'). Because Jessic Ngankam stamped on Xhaka's foot from behind towards the end and was shown a red card (80'), the Werkself played out the game with an extra man until the final whistle. Read the match report.

Reaction: 'We were too hectic'

Coach Alonso reacted to the match: "It was a very intense game. Mainz came with good energy. We were prepared for that, but it wasn't easy." The Spaniard also admitted: "It wasn't our best game, but the three points are very important. We can now enjoy the weekend a bit and then we'll move on." Andrich echoed this sentiment: "Overall, we didn't play well today, we let them have too many chances and  we were too hectic. But we've ended up with a 2-1 win and three points."

Edmond Tapsoba said after the final whistle: "It was a difficult game and I'm happy with the three points. I'm very happy for Granit that he scored his first goal. We as a team are like a family, everyone fights for everyone else."

Media review: Leverkusen still unblemished

After the final whistle, kicker spoke of a "lacklustre workaday victory" and also wrote: "The Werkself's performance was not convincing, but it was still enough to set a Bundesliga record." With the win against Mainz, the Werkself remained unbeaten in their 33rd competitive match of the season - something no other team in German professional football had previously achieved. The FAZ wrote in this regard: "Leverkusen set record but with difficulty." Meanwhile, the Rheinische Post wrote that Mainz "demanded a lot" from the Werkself. The newspaper also ran the headline: "Leverkusen remain unblemished against Mainz." Meanwhile, the WAZ spoke of a "match characterised by tough tackling" and said: "The Werkself had problems for a long time against Mainz, who are seriously threatened by relegation."

Team news: Maiden goal and milestone

Xhaka scored his first competitive goal for Bayer 04 against Mainz, which he celebrated by grabbing his thigh as if injured. Alonso on the Swiss player's celebration: "Granit has often celebrated like that in training. I was still nervous the first time. But there was no moment of panic for me today." Andrich scored his second goal of the season and his first Bundesliga goal of the campaign. The Germany international also celebrated a milestone: It was his 100th competitive match for Bayer 04. Florian Wirtz, meanwhile, played his 100th Bundesliga match at the age of 20 years and 296 days - making him the fourth-youngest player after Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Julian Draxler to reach this mark. Odilon Kossounou played his first game for Bayer 04 this calendar year after winning the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil.

Stats: Nine yellow cards, one sending-off

In addition to numerous bookings for both teams and a red card for Mainz, the intensity of the clash was also reflected in other statistics: 16 fouls were committed by Mainz, while Leverkusen were penalised for 14 offences. Apart from that, Black & Red had 66.6 per cent possession and 17 shots, while Mainz had 13 attempts.

Up next: Away derby in Cologne

Bayer 04 are next in action in the Rhine derby away to 1. FC Köln. Kick-off on Sunday, 3. March, is at 15.30 CET at the RheinEnergieSTADION in Cologne.