Werkself review #B04WOB: ‘Dominant but out of luck’

Summary: Point gained late-on

The Werkself dominated proceedings from the kick-off. In front of over 25,000 fans at the BayArena, who provided vocal support for the full 90 minutes and lined the streets to welcome the team bus to the stadium, Moussa Diaby missed a penalty on ten minutes in the first clear-cut chance of the game. However, the lead soon followed and it was the Frenchman who netted at 1-0 on 17 minutes after an impressive one-two with Adam Hlozek. The lead only lasted up to minute 28 when Robert Andrich accidentally turned the ball into his own net. The two sides went in level at half-time. The visitors took the lead shortly after the restart when Maximilian Arnold converted a penalty. With an assist from Daley Sinkgraven, Jeremie Frimpong rounded off the scoring from two yards out in an intense encounter. HERE is the match report.

Reaction: "We didn't give up"

"The first half did not go well for us with the penalty and the own goal but we carried on and didn't give up. It was important to regain our discipline after conceding the second goal," said Xabi Alonso at the post-match press conference. "The result isn't enough but we played with lots of energy and there are positives we can take away today."

The skipper Lukas Hradecky added: "We finally showed fight and courage. That's the way forward!" Sporting managing director Simon Rolfes concurred. The 40 year-old: "It's a positive that we deservedly came back after going 2-1 down."

Personnel: Fresh legs from the bench

Xabi Alonso made five substitutions over the course of the second half to make full use of his players. In addition to Nadiem Amiri, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Paulinho, Daley Sinkgraven and Timothy Fosu-Mensah joined the action from 70 minutes and they certainly impressed their head coach. "Daley, Timothy and the others who came on had a positive influence on our game," said Alonso after the final whistle. For Sinkgraven it was the third appearance in the current campaign and the fifth for Fosu-Mensah. "The next few weeks will be busy, every player is very important to us," declared Alonso.

Stats: An impressive number

A landmark has been achieved: Moussa Diaby netted Bundesliga goal 2,500 for Bayer 04 with his opener against Wolfsburg, an impressive number. The Werkself have been in Germany's top flight since promotion in 1979.

In terms of match stats, the Black and Reds had a slight advantage: The Alonso team had 56% possession plus a better pass completion rate (83% vs 77%) plus more shots on goal (13 to 9). Wolfsburg only had their noses in front in terms of challenges – the visitors from the home of Volkswagen won 60% of the duels.

What the papers say: Werkself show "hard work and determination"“

The kicker hit the nail on the head with the title of their match report: "Dominant but out of luck." The Rheinische Post witnessed a "controlled" start by the Werkself and the highest marks in the journal went to goalscorer Jeremie Frimpong and substitute Daley Sinkgraven. The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger praised the "much improved attitude and intensity" of the Alonso team that showed "hard work and commitment."

Outlook: Twice on the road

Up to the break due to the World Cup in November, the Werkself now face a crowded fixture list. That starts on Wednesday 26 October with the Champions League group match away to Atletico Madrid. The clash on matchday five kicks off at 21.00 CEST. That is followed three days later by an away game at RB Leipzig (kick-off: 15.30 CEST).