Werkself review #B04SGE: Determined and fast-paced

SUMMARY: SOLID IN DEFENCE, CLINICAL UP FRONT

The Werkself started with the same line-up as in the 3-0 win at Schalke - and broke the deadlock in the clash with Eintracht Frankfurt on ten minutes. Florian Wirtz put his teammate Amine Adli through and the Frenchman exploited a positional error by the Eintracht defender Evan Ndicka to go through in a one-on-one with keeper Kevin Trapp before putting the ball in the back of the net to make it 1-0. At the other end, Lukas Hradecky prevented an equaliser three minutes later as did Jeremie Frimpong on 21 minutes. The next goal was also scored by the Werkself: Moussa Diaby beat the Frankfurt keeper Trapp with a right-foot shot that was slightly deflected off the Eintracht defender Ndicka to make 2-0 (35’) at half-time. Eintracht Frankfurt, with new players on the pitch for the restart, pulled a goal back out of the blue with 15 minutes to play with Djibril Sow scoring to make it 2-1. However, the Werkself had the final word with substitute Sardar Azmoun netting in the fifth minute of added time for the final score of 3-1 and raising the roof in the North Stand at the BayArena. HERE is the match report.

REACTION: "KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON"

The boss in defence Jonathan Tah explained after the final whistle: "What makes us so strong is that we focus on each individual game. We were totally dominant in the first half. It's good to start a game so strongly. We are working together as a team and everybody helps each other. That’s what we’re about at the moment.”

And head coach Xabi Alonso was happy at the post-match press conference stressing that his team “Had won against a top team today. We controlled the first half well, had several chances and defended our lead well.” At the same time, the Spaniard warned against too much euphoria. The strategy for the coming weeks: "Keep calm, feet on the ground and carry on. There is no other formula for us. It was an important step but there are a lot more to take."

PERSONNEL: TRIO ON SONG

They are the Black and Red offensive trio of the hour: Amine Adli, Moussa Diaby and Florian Wirtz. Adli scored his third goal of the season for the opener with all the 22-year-old’s goals coming after the winter break. Diaby, thanks to his ninth goal of the campaign, is the top goalscorer at the Werkself and the France international has scored all his goals under Xabi Alonso. The assists for the two opening goals came from Florian Wirtz.

STATS: HISTORIC WINNING RUN

The victory at home to Eintracht Frankfurt, the seventh win in succession, equals an historic record: Since promotion to the Bundesliga in 1979, the Werkself have only once before achieved seven wins on the bounce in a season back in March 2002.

The match stats were balanced: Successful challenges (61%) and the number of shots on goal (14 to 9) favoured the Werkself with the visitors from Frankfurt on top in terms of possession (57%) and pass completion (82% to 79%).

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY: "WITH AIR FRANCE TO EUROPE"

The Rheinische Post analysis takes a look at the stats and the table: "The 3-1 victory for the Rhinelanders is the ninth home win in succession against the team from Hessen across all competitions – with a goal difference of 31 to 5. More important than the numbers is the effect on the table: The team led by coach Xabi Alonso continues their comeback and are now sixth in the table. Two weeks ago that was still a utopian scenario." The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger praised the "the confidence and authority. Bayer 04 dominated the challenges, the midfield, transition and were clinical in finishing twice. They also impressed with their unity."

The Bild Zeitung awarded top marks to Jonathan Tah and Florian Wirtz on this matchday and seven other Werkself players were awarded a two. Referring to the agile goalscorers Amine Adli and Moussa Diaby, the tabloid opted for the headline of "Bayer fly with Air France to Europe"; Bayer 04 are in sixth place for the first time this season.

OUTLOOK: QUARTER-FINAL FIRST LEG AT THE BAYARENA

The Werkself now have two double-fixture weeks after the Bundesliga home win against Eintracht. This Thursday, 13 April (kick-off: 21.00 CEST), Bayer 04 are at home to the Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals (tickets available now). That is followed three days later by a Bundesliga away game at VfL Wolfsburg (kick-off 19.30 CEST) before Bayer 04 travel to Belgium for the quarter-final second leg on 20 April. The kick-off is at 21.00 CEST.