Werkself review #BOCB04: 50 games unbeaten – extra man counts in victory

Summary: Five goals, five scorers

The Black and Reds were confronted with a bold approach from Bochum at the start of the match. However, the hosts suffered an early blow when full-back Felix Passlack was shown a red card for bringing down Nathan Tella as the last man (15’). The extra player for the Werkself immediately made itself felt. The Black and Reds took control and created some good chances. After Granit Xhaka hit the bar, Patrik Schick converted a cross from Arthur just before the end of the first half to make it 1-0 (41’). Shortly after that, Victor Boniface doubled the lead from the penalty spot after a foul on Tella for the half-time score of 2-0 (45+2’). The Black and Reds continued to dominate proceedings after the restart and were soon rewarded for another impressive performance: Amine Adli, sent off in Bochum last year, scored to make it 3-0 (76’). Josip Stanisic found the back of the net from a tight angle at 4-0 (86’). Alejandro Grimaldo rounded off proceedings with a strike in added time for the final score of 5-0 (90+3’). The match report.

Reaction: "It was a special game for me"

At the post-match press conference, Xabi Alonso shared his analysis of the game: “The game changed after the red card. Bochum were very good and very competitive before that – that’s what we expected. Afterwards we had much more control. We are happy with the result. Today’s win was important.”

Adli said after the game: “I’m very happy with the win and my goal. It’s an important win. Now we carry on and will prepare well for Saturday.” The 24-year-old added: “It was a special game for me. The coach didn’t forget to remind me of my mistake from last year (he laughs). He gave me additional motivation before I was brought on.”

Key defender Jonathan Tah said in relation to the unbeaten run: “We don’t go onto the pitch and say we just want to avoid defeat. We go on the pitch to win every game.”

What the papers say: "Red card as turning point"

The extra man from 15 minutes into the game that made a significant impression on proceedings was the focus of the media. The kicker headline read: “Red card as the turning point.” And their report continues: “Champions of Germany Bayer 04 Leverkusen struggled at first but then benefited from an early sending off. The Werkself then gave nothing away and went on to dominate the game.” The FAZ took a similar view of the red card and wrote about a “bitter and decisive setback.” The Rheinische Post concurred with the following assessment of the match: “From that point (after the sending off, ed.) the Werkself dominated and again as usual kept the ball and the opposition moving.”

The RP match report also highlighted the unbeaten run: “Bayer Leverkusen make it 50 in Bochum.” The Bild Zeitung also joked about that: “He (Xabi Alonso, ed.) is only 42 and already celebrating his 50^th.” After the final whistle, fans and the team celebrated the 50^th match without defeat with golden balloons, which the fans had prepared for the players.”

Personnel: Tah and Kossounou achieve milestones

For Jonathan Tah, the match in Bochum was appearance 350 for Bayer 04. The defender found the following words: “It’s a milestone for me. 350 matches, the last 50 games unbeaten, now a 5-0 win – it’s a special day for me.” Odilon Kossounou also clocked up a century of appearances for the Werkself.

For Arthur, who provided his first two assists for the Black and Reds setting up Schick at 1-0 and Stanisic at 4-0, it was the second Bundesliga start in succession. Schick and Boniface started up front for the first time and each scored a goal. In addition, Alonso’s substitutions in the second half again paid off. The Spanish coach brought on Jonas Hofmann as well as Adli and Grimaldo. Hofmann set up a goal and Grimaldo scored. Adli provided a goal and an assist.

Stats: No away defeats in the Bundesliga

The Werkself have achieved a special record with the 5-0 victory in Bochum: Alongside Bayern Munich, Bayer 04 are only the second club in the history of the Bundesliga not to lose a league match on the road for a full season. The match stats in the win at Castroper Straße also present a clear picture: 29 to 3 shots on goal and 60% possession for the Black and Reds. As expected, Bochum were determined and competitive. The challenges won were 62.5 to 37.5 – Bochum are the strongest team in the league in this category.

Outlook: Bundesliga finale against Augsburg

After two busy weeks of fixtures, the Werkself now have a normal week ahead of them. The finale in the Bundesliga is on Saturday 18 May (kick-off: 15.30 CEST). The Black and Reds entertain FC Augsburg at the BayArena. The Werkself will be presented with the Meisterschale after the final whistle.