Werkself review #FCSPB04: “We showed character’

Summary: Win after battling display

Bayer 04 head coach Kasper Hjulmand fielded captain Robert Andrich and Axel Tape instead of Ibrahim Maza and Lucas Vázquez in the starting eleven compared with the line-up in the 1-1 draw with Borussia Mönchengladbach. After an evenly balanced opening phase with chances for both sides, the Werkself once again showed their strength from set-pieces: A free-kick from Alejandro Grimaldo found its way to Edmond Tapsoba who opened the scoring with his first goal this term (25'). However, FC St. Pauli levelled just seven minutes later: Mark Flekken failed to claim the ball from a corner and centre-back Hauke Wahl scored to make it 1-1 (32'). In a hard-fought second half, a substitute made the difference: Just two minutes after coming off the bench, Ernest Poku converted from a Grimaldo assist to secure an important 2-1 win for the Werkself. HERE is the match report.

Reaction: "An important step"

Head coach Kasper Hjulmand was clearly happy with the three points at the post-match press conference: "It was a very difficult game, but we played well most of the time, scored a superb second goal and showed character at the end." Nevertheless, the Dane still sees room for improvement, particularly in build-up play and the creation of goalscoring chances: "We want to build a playing philosophy with the team and we still need time for that. But we don't need time to win games in the meantime if we fight like we did today and show great team spirit."

Goalscorer Tapsoba thanked the fans for their vociferous support after the final whistle and added: "We will continue to do our best for you and fight for you on the pitch. Let's do it together!" The centre-back was delighted "I was able to help the team with my goal. That was my first and I will try to score more goals." Tapsoba saw the victory as a deserved result following a good week in training: "We’ve worked hard to get the team spirit and act like a family. The win today was a big step in that direction."

A happy Alejandro Grimaldo talked about a good second half and a deserved victory: "The players from the bench made the difference today." The Spaniard took over the captain's armband after Andrich's substitution, but he also sees leadership qualities in many of his team-mates: "We have some good, experienced players and together we try to help the young players and win games as a team."

What the papers say: "Hjulmand's sub makes immediate impact"

"Leverkusen benefit from efficiency," wrote kicker, noting that Bayer 04 had the game under control for long stretches and could rely on a "solid defence". The Kölner Stadtanzeiger also praised the Werkself as "very efficient" and described the victory at the Millerntor as "hard-fought". The Bild newspaper ran the headline "Hjulmand's sub makes immediate impact," while the Rheinische Post emphasised the calm final phase shown by a "confident Leverkusen side."

Personnel: Andrich equals record - A first for Poku

The win at St. Pauli was Robert Andrich's 37th consecutive Bundesliga away game unbeaten. The 31-year-old has equalled the record set by Philipp Lahm (2012 to 2015) and Dante (2012 to 2014). The last time Andrich lost away from home was on matchday 19 in 2022/23, when Bayer 04 suffered a 1-0 defeat at FC Augsburg.

It has also been a long time since Edmond Tapsoba last scored in the Bundesliga before his opening goal against FCSP. The centre-back last scored over two and a half years ago in January 2023 in a 2-0 win against VfL Bochum. Tapsoba has netted four times in 162 Bundesliga matches. Ernest Poku, meanwhile, scored his very first goal in Germany’s top flight and his strike at 2-1 for Bayer 04 was also the fastest substitute goal in the Bundesliga this term.

Stats: Bayer 04 extend league record

So far this season, the Werkself have been consistently on target. Bayer 04 have scored in each of the last ten Bundesliga matches, including all five games this season. The Black and Reds also played to their strengths against FC St. Pauli and have now scored six goals from set-pieces this season - only Bayern Munich have netted more (9). The Werkself have also been strong in one-on-one situations: no team in the league has won more duels than Bayer 04 (522).

Not only did captain Andrich set an away record, the victory at FC St. Pauli was also the 36th away game in the Bundesliga without defeat for the Werkself - a current Bundesliga record. Leverkusen now remain unbeaten against FCSP since 1996.

A look at the match stats shows: Bayer 04 were superior to their opponents, particularly in terms of possession (51%), duels won (52%) and pass completion (85%).

Looking forward: PSV then Union

Another busy week for the Werkself: Bayer 04 host PSV Eindhoven at the BayArena on Wednesday night, 1 October (kick-off: 21:00 CEST) in the second match in the league phase of the Champions League. Tickets for the match are available HERE.

The Bundesliga action continues on Saturday, 4 October, also at home against Union Berlin. The match kicks off at 15:30 CEST.