Werkself review #B04RBL: ‘We wanted to lay down a marker'

Summary: Fast-paced with lots of shots

The introduction of Jonathan Tah in place of the suspended Amine Adli, several changes to the starting line-up from the 8-0 victory over FC Teutonia 05 Ottensen, brought about a change of system from a back four to a back three. In front of a full home crowd, the Werkself made the better start and were quickly on the front foot even though RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Henrichs posed the first real threat on goal (22'). Two minutes later, Jeremie Frimpong scored from close range to make it 1-0 to Bayer 04, Tah doubled the lead with a header at 2-0 (35'). Dani Olmo scored just before the break (40') and the two sides went in at half-time with the Werkself leading 2-1. After the restart, Florian Wirtz had a chance to put his team 3-1 up. What didn't happen on 48 minutes did on 64 with an assist from Frimpong. RB Leipzig once again pulled a goal back, this time through record signing Lois Openda (71'). There was no more joy for the team from Saxony so the Werkself registered the first win in the first Bundesliga match of the season. The match report is HERE.

Reaction: Alonso "happy with result and performance"

After the frenetic top match, head coach Xabi Alonso summed up proceedings as follows: "Of course, we are very happy with the result and also with the performance. We played very well, particularly in the first half." New signing Jonas Hofmann talked about goals "at good points in the game. We produced a decent performance and gave everything but were still capable of more."

Granit Xhaka, at Borussia Mönchengladbach from 2012 to 2016, said after the final whistle: "You'd want a start like that to the season and such a return to the Bundesliga as a player. Above all, our first half was good. We wanted to be aggressive and lay down a marker from matchday one that other teams can't expect anything at the BayArena." The Switzerland international did however find words of praise for the performance of the visitors from Leipzig: "We knew they would do more after half-time. You can't dominate such a high quality opponent for the full 90 minutes. That made it even more important for us to get the win."

What the papers say: "Statement made in opening game"

The kicker headline reads "Statement made in opening game: Leverkusen win fast-paced clash with Leipzig" and the goal from Wirtz at 3-1 is described as "a technical highlight – if he wanted it like that." The Rheinische Post talked about "euphoric fans" relating to the atmosphere at the BayArena, the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger of a “dominant” Werkself. Top marks from the KStA went to Frimpong and Boniface. The Bild Zeitung named Tah, Xhaka and Odilon Kossounou as three Bayer 04 players in their Team of the Day.

Personnel: Quartet  make league debuts for Black and Reds

Four of Leverkusen's summer signings started the league opener. Alejandro Grimaldo on the left flank and striker Victor Boniface not only made their debuts for Bayer 04 but also played their first game in the Bundesliga. The experienced Xhaka, a player at Mönchengladbach for four years, and Hofmann, the new signing from Gladbach, were also in the starting eleven. They all impressively demonstrated that they represent quality strengthening of the squad.

Stats: Most important number counts

The numbers on the game are almost evenly balanced even though RB Leipzig just edged it: The team from Saxony had 55% possession, 51.5% challenges won and a better pass completion rate (86% to 82%). The shots on goal stats were also slightly in favour of Leipzig with 14 to 11. But the final result gave the Werkself three points.

Outlook: Away to the Foals

The first away game of the new season for the Werkself is next Saturday 26 August (kick-off: 18.30 CEST) at Borussia Mönchengladbach. The Foals shared the points with FC Augsburg on Saturday in a 4-4 draw. Newly promoted SV Darmstadt 98 visit the BayArena a week later before Bayer 04 are on the road at Bayern Munich after the first international break of the new season.