In front of a full house at the Allianz Arena, head coach Xabi Alonso made one change to his starting eleven: Robert Andrich made his first start in the Bundesliga this season. The encounter was exciting from the kcik-off with the hosts initially having the upper hand that saw Harry Kane head them into the lead from a corner on seven minutes. Leverkusen remained undaunted and upped the pressure. Alejandro Grimaldo levelled with a textbook free kick from a central position (24'). It was the first Bundesliga goal for the Spanish new signing and his first strike for Bayer 04. After the restart, both teams focused on organised build-up play and solid defending. The game came to life in the closing minutes: Big chances present themselves for both Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sané as well as Florian Wirtz and Victor Boniface for the Red and Blacks. Substitute Leon Goretzka scored what looked like the winner at 2-1 on 86 minutes. But the Werkself hit back again – Exequiel Palacios levelled from the penalty spot for the 2-2 final score (90+4’). You can find the match report HERE.
Alonso spoke at the post-match press conference as follows: "We were still in the hotel for the first five minutes. But I saw my team after 15 minutes." The Spaniard added: “It was a big issue for us to build up mentality. That's why were able to come back after going 2-1 down. We created the situation that led to the penalty. It's important to stand together in difficult moments and then react well." Jonas Hofmann was also happy: "The game had an incredible level, it went from end to end and was really fun. I think the expectationa of the fans were met. Everybody can be happy with the 2-2 draw given the number of chances."
The media are agreed it was an eventful Friday night. The headline in the Leverkusener Anzeiger read "Bayer 04 pick up point in spectacular game" and the Bild-Zeitung talked about a "Crazy top match." The press were also agreed about the performance of the keeper Lukas Hradecky: Both the Bild-Zeitung and the Rheinische Post plus the kicker awarded him top marks. The RP commented on top of that: "Neither Thomas Müller nor Leroy Sané, Leon Goretzka or Serge Gnabry were able to beat the Werkself captain in that stage of the game. His masterpiece was using his feet to deny Kane."
Grimaldo scored his first Bundesliga goal with a perfectly executed free kick and it was also his first strike for the Werkself – congratulations. And teammate Palacios appears to like playing against the record champions: As in last season's 2-1 win in the return game, the Argentinian World Cup winner again stepped up to the penalty spot - and once again converted clinically. And that was after being on international duty in South America up to Wednesday. That could happily become a tradition...
The impressive goalkeeping performance from Hradecky was also remarkable. The captain lived up to his nickname as the "Finnish spider" and he earned the support of the 5,000 travelling Bayer 04 fans as they chanted Lukas Hradecky when celebrating with the team at the end of the game.
The numbers reflect the encounter: FCB had 16 shots on goal, the Werkself 13. It was also evenly balanced in terms of possession: Leverkusen had 48% and won 47% of all duels. Both teams had 87% pass completion.
The Werkself are in action again on Thursday 21 September with Hradecky and Co. taking on the current Swedish champions BK Häcken in the first group match in the Europa League. Tickets are available HERE. That is followed four days later by the next Bundesliga fixture on Sunday 24 September (kick-off: 15.30 CEST): Newly promoted FC Heidenheim visit Bayer 04 at the BayArena on the family matchday.
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Goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe will continue to play for Bayer 04 Leverkusen next season. The loan of the Germany U23 international, who joined from Liverpool in the winter, has been extended by a further year.
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The training pitches at the BayArena are already buzzing with activity again, even before training officially begins next week. On Monday morning, a small group from the Werkself first-team squad completed a session lasting around an hour. Both new and familiar faces were present.
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