Werkself review #B04RBL: Merciless efficiency

SUMMARY: SOLID DEFENCE, CLINICAL ATTACK

The top match between the teams in sixth and fourth place in the Bundesliga saw the visitors from Leipzig dominant in the early stages without posing a real threat on goal. The best move of the match up to that point was from Werkself player Piero Hincapie with a long-range effort against the bar (32'). Eight minutes later, Adam Hlozek rounded off a counter-attack to make it 1-0 for Bayer 04 at half-time. The Werkself kept a clean sheet in the second half due in part to an impressive display by Lukas Hradecky. Leipzig continued to press but the second goal of the game was scored by the hosts: A foul on Jeremie Frimpong in the RB Leipzig penalty area resulted in a second yellow card for Dominik Szoboszlai and the correctly awarded penalty was converted by Nadiem Amiri (86'). The substitute midfielder gave his emotions free rein and set off in the direction of the North Stand to celebrate the home win. Here is the match report.

REACTION: "TEAM SPIRIT AND HIGHEST INTENSITY"

The skipper Hradecky was happy with the performance of his team after the game: "We worked very hard for the win. The results are better now after the difficult start to the season. Mentality plays a particularly big role. At the moment, we are giving our all every time to see what we can achieve in the end." Frimpong also named mentality and team spirit as decisive factors: "It was a difficult game but we gave our all today from the keeper to the strikers and it paid off. The unbeaten run is a brilliant achievement and it feels good. We stick together as a team from match to match and give everything for each other. I think that's the decisive thing at the moment."

And Jonathan Tah was also happy: "Being unbeaten in thirteen games – we've only achieved that through team spirit and the highest intensity." The boss in defence then again looked forwards: "After the many intensive weeks of fixtures, it's very important to clock up another win. Now we just have to recover for the next challenges."

PERSONNEL: KOSSOUNOU PLAYS 50TH LEAGUE GAME FOR BLACK AND REDS

Odilon Kossounou made his 50th Bundesliga appearance in the match against Leipzig, with all those for Bayer 04 of course – many congratulations, Odi! Off the pitch, the Bayer 04 Löwenclub together with the Leverkusen city council and the city sports association produced an impressive choreography and a massive sea of flags to support the team from the East Stand.

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STATS: LEIPZIG WIN NUMBERS GAME

The efficient performance of the hosts is reflected in the statistics: Moussa Diaby und Co. had seven shots on the RBL goal with the visitors having 26 on the Leverkusen net. The same applied to possession with the Red Bulls having 69%. It was closer with challenges but the Saxons had their noses in front with 53%. In terms of pass completion, the Black and Reds had 74% and RB 86%.

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY:  "BAYER CONTINUE CHASE"

The media primarily covered the impressive run by the Werkself after the game: There have been no defeats in thirteen games across competitions. The Leverkusener Anzeiger says the Werkself are "Flying high”, the Bild Zeitung reports "Leverkusen frenzy" and kicker "impressive form for weeks. In the hard-fought win, the team under Xabi Alonso produced a strong defensive performance." The display by the Leverkusen defence and the holding midfielders was also judged positively by the Rheinische Post: Kossounou and Hincapie received second best marks with Tah and Robert Andrich picking up top marks.

OUTLOOK: ANOTHER TOP MATCH AWAITS

After two weeks with European games in succession, the Werkself players now have a couple of days rest before the next clash in the race for a European spot. Xabi Alonso's team are away to third-placed Union Berlin on Saturday 29 April (kick-off: 15.30 CEST).