Werkself review #B04TSG: Remained calm, scored late on again

Bayer 04 once again secured a really important victory late in the game and the unbeaten run has been extended to 39 matches. The Werkself were on top from the start but surprisingly went behind just after the half-hour mark. That did not throw them off course and the game was turned round in the closing stages. Who set the BayArena alight at the end and the Leverkusen reaction to the late win – the Werkself review.

Summary: Game turned round late again

With three changes to the starting line-up compared with the 3-2 win at Freiburg the game began with no clear-cut chances. The Werkself had more possession, with Granit Xhaka having the first attempt on goal on eleven minutes. Florian Wirtz also missed the chance to give Leverkusen the lead (18’). Most of the action after that was in and around the Hoffenheim penalty area – until the visitors first threatened the Werkself box in a counter-attack. That move ended with Maximilian Beier converting the first chance for TSG to make it 1-0 (33'). Just before half-time, Xhaka produced a crafty effort (42') with other attempts on goal from Jonas Hofmann (45+1’) and Robert Andrich (45+2’) but Bayer 04 went into the break trailing by the single goal. After the restart, the league leaders pressed for the equaliser with Alejandro Grimaldo having a big chance from close range (67'). And substitute Amine Adli also failed to score (75'). Borgia Iglesias hit the bar in the final minutes (87') – and the next move saw Andrich scored a deserved and long-awaited leveller at 1-1 (89'). And anybody who thought that would be the end of the scoring did not take Patrik Schick into account. The Czechia striker scored with his first notable attempt on goal when he turned a cross from Nathan Tella into the net to secure the win at 2-1 (90+1'). The Black and Reds maintained the advantage and once again proved their incredible mentality. The match report.

Reaction: "Incredible, unbelievable"

Xabi Alonso said after the game: "It was a very tough and intense match for us. The goal from Rob was the key moment and then we battled to the end. I'm very proud of the team." The Spanish coach added: "I'm happy for the fans. They were incredible and they gave us fantastic support. We have to thank them again today – there are a big part of the win."

"I'm speechless, what a finish," said a beaming Schick after the final whistle. "We carried on believing right to the end. It was incredible – unbelievable." Jonathan Tah said to Werkself TV: "It feels brilliant. We were patient against a deep lying opponent. In the end you could see that the moment comes where we're able to put the ball away. Then we knew: If we can score one goal then we can get a second!"

What the papers say: "Defeat is impossible"

Easter has probably never been happier in Leverkusen!" was the start of the match report in the Bild Zeitung. And it continues: "When many people were expecting the first defeat of the season for Leverkusen, the league leaders struck. Like champions!" The kicker headline reads: "Leverkusen attacks are rewarded: Andrich and Schick keep the run alive." Der Spiegel reports: "Leverkusen were behind after 87 minutes and then secured a spectacular comeback win: A goal from Maximilian Beier unsettled Leverkusen but the Werkself hit back impressively." The Sportschau takes a similar view: "Schick provides the next incredible turnaround" and adds: "Defeat is impossible."

Personnel: Effective late starter

He is simply the man of the moment under the Bayer Cross: Schick again scored late on for the Werkself. As in the two Round of 16 matches against Qarabag in the Europa League, the Czech once again scored in added time – to give Bayer 04 three incredibly important points against TSG. Schick has scored five goals in the last five matches. Across all competitions, Schick has found the back of the net eleven times – only fellow striker Victor Boniface has netted more often (16).

Stats: Points record equalled

The Leverkusen record number of points in the Bundesliga has been equalled. The win against Hoffenheim has given the Werkself an impressive total of 73 points – after just 27 matches. The only other time that has been achieved was in the 1999/2000 season. Battling to the end has been rewarded this term: Bayer 04 have scored 22 goals this season from the 81st minute.

The number of shots on goal is also worth noting: the Werkself had 34 efforts with TSG only having six. And Bayer 04 were also on top in other match stats: 68% possession, 57% of duels won and a better pass completion rate (89% to 77%).

Outlook: In action in three competitions

The Werkself now have another home game albeit in a different competition: Fortuna Düsseldorf from Bundesliga 2 are the visitors in the DFB Pokal semi-final at the BayArena on Wednesday, 3 April (kick-off: 20.45 CEST). Then it is off to the capital for the next Bundesliga fixture: the match at Union Berlin is on Saturday, 6 April with the kick-off at 15.30 CEST. That is followed by the Europa League quarter-final games against West Ham United and the Bundesliga matches against Werder Bremen and Borussia Dortmund.