Werkself review #BOCB04: ‘We have to learn how to deal with taking the lead'

Summary: Narrow lead is not enough

It was a hard-fought and lively match between Bayer 04 and VfL Bochum. The Black and Reds dominated proceedings early on with a majority of possession as the hosts initially relied on counter-attacks. Although VfL resisted well and had occasional efforts on goal, the Black and Reds took the lead through Patrik Schick on 18 minutes in a mostly one-sided game at that point. But Bochum gained more and more confidence in the second half. That paid off on 90 minutes: Koji Miyoshi scored from a tight angle to level at 1-1. The match report is HERE.

Reaction: "It feels the same as against Kiel"

Coach Xabi Alonso said at the post-match press conference: "It feels the same as against Kiel (2-2, ed.). We weren't able to end the game with a win and conceded the equaliser just before full-time. We'll have to work on that and learn how to deal with taking the lead." And he added: "Bochum were tight and well organised in defence. We weren't successful in the final third today and I'm not happy about that. We talked about one goal not being enough at half-time. And that's what happened."

The skipper Lukas Hradecky said to Sky after the final whistle: "It's a real kick in the teeth for us to draw with a team from the bottom end of the table for the third time. I'm very disappointed, we wanted to take the three points. Unfortunately, that didn't happen." Goalscorer Schick adopted a similar view: "We’re not happy with one point. We have to be better and pick up the points."

What the  papers say: "Long faces again"

The match reports in both the Bild and kicker  talk about a "deserved point" for Bochum. kicker adds in view of another draw for the Black and Reds: "Long faces again for the Werkself." They describe VfL as a "battling group, who put up stiff resistance as a unit."

kicker also describes the creation of the goal to take the lead as "outstanding." Florian Wirtz picked out goalscorer Schick with a smart pass from a quickly taken free kick. It was the second assist for Wirtz in the Bundesliga this season. The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger assesses the assist as a "dream pass", the Rheinische Post talks about a "wonderful through ball." The RP also reports: "The team from the Ruhrgebiet, threatened with relegation, were able to compete on equal terms under new coach Dieter Hecking."

Personnel: Schick likes playing VfL – Milestones for duo

Patrik Schick's opener was his first Bundesliga goal of the season. It was also his fifth Bundesliga goal against VfL Bochum. He has not scored more often against any other club in Germany's top flight. The Czechia international thereby ends a run of eight Bundesliga games without scoring. He also scored his last goal in the league in Bochum (in last May's 5-0 win).

Two other Werkself players clocked up milestones playing for the Black and Reds. Edmond Tapsoba made his 200th appearance for Bayer 04, Robert Andrich was on the pitch in a Bundesliga game for the 150th time. He made 59 of those appearances with Union Berlin.

Stats: Ups and downs

The Werkself have now dropped eleven points in the Bundesliga after taking the lead – the highest number in the league along with VfL Wolfsburg. By comparison: Bayer 04 did not drop a single point after taking the lead last season. But the positive from the third draw on the bounce: The Werkself are unbeaten in 22 Bundesliga away games in succession (16 wins, six draws). In the history of the Bundesliga, only FC Bayern have had two longer unbeaten away runs (33 games from 2012 to 2014, 26 games from 1985 to 1987).

And the numbers on #BOCB04: While the Black and Reds had a significantly higher amount of possession (70.8% to 29.2%) and a better pass completion rate (89.4% to 77%), VfL had more shots on goal (15 to 11) and more corners than the Black and Reds (six to four).

Outlook: Two home games after international break

The Werkself now go into the final international break of the year with twelve Werkself players in action including in the UEFA Nations League or qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. HERE is the report on the call-ups. Following the international break, the Werkself are at home in the Bundesliga to FC Heidenheim on Saturday, 23 November (kick-off 15.30 CET). That is followed three days later, on Wednesday 26 November (kick-off: 21.00 CET), by the game against FC Salzburg on Matchday 5 in the Champions League.