Both Hertha Berlin and the Werkself looked to get on the front foot from the start: The first chance for the Berlin side came after three minutes with a header from Lukebakio with the rest of first half seeing Leverkusen having the more clear-cut chances. Both the bouncing header from Patrik Schick (11') as well as the volley from Adam Hlozek (26') revealed the ability of the Hertha keeper Christensen between the sticks. Kanga hit the woodwork for the hosts (37') before the ball ended up in the back of both nets after the restart. Kerem Demirbay opened the scoring for Bayer 04 with a brilliant free kick into the corner of the net (49') but the lead did not last long: Serdar (55') and Richter, with an outstanding volley (74'), put Hertha in front. Schick netted the equaliser at 2-2 on 79 minutes when he hit a shot through the legs of Christensen from the penalty spot following a cross from the left by Robert Andrich. A double chance for Hertha's Boetius, with the first effort saved by Lukas Hradecky and the second hitting the hand of Odilon Kossounou and then the post (82') plus a chance for Schick in added time rounded off a very intense and highly entertaining encounter. The match report is HERE.
Disappointed with the result but also satisfied with the performance: There are two viewpoints from a Leverkusen perspective. "You can see it as a point gained but we could have taken all three with more luck in converting our chances," said Kerem Demirbay. Callum Hudson-Odoi put it as follows: "It hurts not to have won but we gave our all." Gerardo Seoane spoke of "an attractive game where my team was more active both in defence and attack than in previous games. Unfortunately, in certain situations we missed the opportunity to finish them off." The Bayer 04 head coach drew the following conclusion: "Compliments to the team for their morale after going 2-1 down. I saw a clear improvement in performance."
The scorer of the leveller could have been the Man of the Match on this day: Patrik Schick did score to make it 2-2 with his second goal of the season but the Czech striker also failed to finish two or three more good chances. The coach played a part in Leverkusen's second goal as both the provider of the cross Robert Andrich and Sardar Azmoun, who brilliantly anticipated the situation by letting the ball run through to Schick, had both just been brought on by Gerardo Seoane. Jonathan Tah made his 200th Bundesliga appearance for the Black and Reds at the Olympic Stadium. Only 15 players in the history of Bayer 04 have played more games in the top-flight.
A range of stats were as indecisive as the result. The hosts from Berlin had the upper hand in shots on goal (17 to 11) and in challenges (55 to 45%). For the Werkself, the numbers were better in terms of possession (58 to 42%) plus completed passes (78 to 73%).
The reports in the media are almost unanimous in terms of having seen a very lively and entertaining duel. The online edition of the Rheinische Post reports an "exciting second half," the Berlin Tagesspiegel "a very entertaining match." The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger describes the final scene of the match in their online edition as follows: "In the final seconds, Bayer 04 could have secured a happy ending in the match that would be have been untypical for the season so far when Patrik Schick went through on the Hertha goal. But Marc Oliver Kempf raced in to block the shot and turn it away for a corner."
Bayer 04 now face challenges in a three-day rhythm. The Werkself entertain Atlético Madrid at the BayArena on Tuesday 13 September (kick-off: 21.00 CEST) in the second group match in the Champions League with the next Bundesliga fixture against Werder Bremen following on Saturday 17 September at 15.30 CEST. After that, there is a chance for a breather with the next international break.
The Bayer 04 Women's first-team squad has taken on three homegrown players: Louisa Remien, Paula Schwartze and Amy Wrigge will be part of the Bundesliga team for the new season.
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The season card waiting list, introduced by Bayer 04 last season, is open to Bayer 04 Club members. Read on for further information.
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Olá, Brasil! The Bayer 04 flight landed safely in Rio de Janeiro early on Tuesday morning local time. From the airport it was straight to the beach in immediate proximity to the team hotel where club legend Paulo Sergio welcomed the team. The first training session is on the agenda in the afternoon. Bayer04.de will provide a close-up report on the Werkself over the next ten days with one blog per day giving insights into the events on tour. Day one of the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour (timings are in local time).
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The Werkself training camp officially began early on Tuesday morning with the landing in Rio de Janeiro. Ahead of the first session in the afternoon local time, bayer04.de profiles the talented youngsters from the youth teams who have travelled to Brazil.
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The welcome in Brazil could not have been more fitting: Paulo Sergio, with a small Bayer 04 delegation, welcomed the Werkself to Rio de Janeiro on the beach in front of the team hotel on Tuesday morning local time. Under clear blue skies, players, coaches and staff joined together for a group photo and then it was off to the rooms and breakfast. Shortly after the Werkself arrived, club legend Paulo Sergio, who will accompany the Werkself over the coming days, talked bayer04.de about these emotional moments for him.
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