Werkself review #B04WOB: Impressive goals reward mature performance

Summary: Patience brings deserved reward

The Werkself dominated proceedings from the kick-off with the VfL Wolfsburg focus mainly on defending. The first chance for the league leaders came after an impressive chip from Granit Xhaka to Florian Wirt on 22 minutes but the latter hit his shot against the post. Over the course of the game, it was mainly Leverkusen who set out to attack. Initially they were unable to break through the Wolves defence. Then, with 29 minutes on the clock, Wolfsburg’s Moritz Jenz fouled Patrik Schick and the central defender was sent off for a second yellow card offence. The Werkself then exploited the superiority in numbers a few minutes later: Alejandro Grimaldo made an impressive move down the left and crossed for Nathan Tella to head home from close range to make it 1-0 (37'). The second half followed a similar pattern with the Werkself firmly on the front foot – and their patience and dominance were rewarded in the closing stages with the goal to make it 2-0: An impressive pass over the VfL defence from Exequiel Palacioss found Wirtz whose volley sealed the home win (86'). The match report.

Reaction: "Mature performance from us"

Xabi Alonso  said after the game: "Perhaps it wasn't so spectacular today but we wanted and had to be patient. I'm happy with that. Of course, it was a different game after the red card. But we were good in the phase up to that, we had a good tempo and were alert when we lost possession."

Goalscorer Tella on his goal: "I don't think people thought I could score a headed goal because of my height as I went to the far post. I have to thank Grimaldo for the great cross." And he added: "It was a mature performance from us overall. We knew they would drop back even further after the red card and we had to remain patient. Flo did a perfect job with his technique."

Xhaka said after the match: "We knew Wolfsburg would perhaps be more defensive and rely on counter-attacks. Therefore, we had to try and regain possession two or three seconds after losing the ball. Of course, it was easier having the extra man and we remained focused to the end."

What the papers say: "Bayer dominated from the start"

The Bild headline: "Job done! Bayer Leverkusen showed themselves unimpressed with Bayern's 8-1 victory over Mainz. The team under coach Xabi Alonso comfortably won the home game against Wolfsburg 2-0." The kicker assessment: "Leverkusen easily beat the decimated Wolves: Bayer Leverkusen remain unbeaten. The Werkself secured a convincing 2-0 win against VfL Wolfsburg at the end of Matchday 25." The Rheinische Post reported the following: "Bayer dominated from the start against visitors who have yet to win a game this year."

Personnel: Passing machine Xhaka

Grimaldo, provider of the opener for Tella, has made ten assists this season – no other player has as many in the Bundesliga. Also impressive: Xhaka made 165 passes in the game against Wolfsburg – the highest number for a Werkself player this season.

Before kick-off, the suspended Jeremie Frimpong ensured  loads of smiling faces: On his own initiative, the winger used his time away from the pitch to bring a box full of food for the donation to the Leverkusener Tafel e.V. collection point at the BayArena. The Dutchman then called in on Werkself Radio and the North Stand.

Stats: Second best season ever

The Werkself had 19 shots on the Wolfsburg goal with the Wolves making two attempts. Leverkusen were also on top in terms possession with 76% and the same – even if only narrowly – applied with 51% of duels won. The Black and Red pass completion was an impressive 93%.

Bayer 04 have 67 points after 25 games (21 wins, four draws) and that is the second best Bundesliga season of any team – only once did a side have a higher number of points and that was in the 2013/14 campaign: FC Bayern, back then under coach Pep Guardiola, had 71 points after 25 games (23 wins, two draws). 

Outlook: Round of 16 second leg awaits

The Werkself have two matches again this week: Qarabag visit the BayArena on Thursday, 14 March (kick-off: 21.00 CET) in the Europa League Round of 16 second leg. That is followed three days later on Sunday, 17 March (kick-off: 15.30 CET), by an away game at SC Freiburg on Bundesliga Matchday 26. That precedes the international break.