Werkself review: ‘Feeling good’ going into the international break

In memory of Peter Hermann

The long-serving Bayer 04 player and assistant manager passed away on Saturday at the age of 74 following a long and serious illness. In memory of Hermann, who helped shape football in Leverkusen over many decades, the Black and Reds played against RB Leipzig wearing black armbands. In addition, a minute’s silence was observed before kick-off, when players and fans paid tribute to his life’s work.

Summary: Schick and Gutiérrez reward team effort

At home at the BayArena, Bayer 04 sought to take control from the kick-off, skilfully resolving even difficult situations and conceding few chances. The fact they created few chances of their own in the first half was often down to a lack of precision in the final ball. However, the Black and Reds demonstrated that precision shortly before the half-time whistle when Patrik Schick converted a pinpoint cross from Miguel Gutiérrez to open the scoring (45’). After the break, the Werkself looked even more incisive and began to create chances through the lively duo of Ibrahim Maza and Moussa Diaby. However, it was once again the impressive Gutiérrez who capitalised on a botched clearance by Leipzig to make it 2–0 (58'). Schick and substitute Kofane could have scored Leverkusen’s third goal. In the end, a disciplined defensive display also ensured a deserved home victory on the Bayer 04 family matchday.

• Match report
• Highlights
• Extended highlights
• Full match replay

Reaction: “A clever player with great understanding of the game”

“I’m very pleased with our performance,” said head coach Carles Martínez at the post-match press conference. The Spaniard was particularly impressed with his team’s defensive display: “We knew Leipzig are strong in attack, so it’s all the more satisfying that we kept a clean sheet today.”

Martínez also praised Gutiérrez, who once again stood out: “He’s a clever player with a great understanding of the game; he can create moves from the back, but also provide assists up front and score himself. Defensively, he was of course very focused today as well.”

Gutiérrez said he had “great fun playing here at the BayArena in front of these fans and with this team”, but also highlighted the team’s positive progress: “The team makes it very easy for you.”

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Mark Flekken was delighted to have come away with “not just the points, but also feeling good. We deserved to win. Even though the margin of victory could have been even greater. We were also solid at the back. We can build on that and we want to pick up where we left off in three weeks’ time.”

• Post-match reaction
• Post-match press conference

What the papers say: “Closer to a third goal than RBL”

And he’s on the scoresheet again! With his goal against RB Leipzig, Schick has now found the net in each of his four Bundesliga matches so far this term – the last player to achieve that for the Werkself was Stefan Kießling in 2009/10. What’s more, the Czech sits joint top of the Bundesliga scoring charts alongside four other players. Schick particularly enjoys scoring against RB Leipzig, having netted six times in eleven matches. He has only scored more goals against FC Heidenheim (seven). 

Gutiérrez also has some impressive stats: against RBL, he not only clocked up his first goal for the club, but also set up the 1–0 lead with his third assist of the season in his fourth league match. Since detailed statistics have been kept, no Werkself player has achieved that so quickly. Unsurprisingly, the left-back is therefore among the top assist providers in the top flight, alongside four other players.

Stats: Impressive record against RBL

The 2–0 win on the family matchday marked Bayer 04’s third consecutive victory over RB Leipzig. In their last seven matches against RBL, the Black and Reds have lost just once. But that’s not all: The Werkself have scored at least twice in each of their last eight encounters with the Red Bulls.

Accuracy in front of goal is, in any case, a key factor in the success of Martínez’s side. In their sixth match under the Spaniard’s leadership, Bayer 04 have again scored at least two goals. The last time Leverkusen showed such a hunger for goals at the start of a manager’s tenure was under Roger Schmidt in 2014.

Perhaps, however, the Werkself’s commanding performance was also down to timing. Experience shows that Sunday matches suit the Black and Reds – they have lost just one of their last 31 Sunday fixtures.

Next up: Mainz 05 after three-week international break

No fewer than nine Werkself players will be in action for their national teams around the globe over the next three weeks; you can find more information HERE. In the Bundesliga, Bayer 04’s next match is on Saturday, 10 October. The Black and Reds are away to Mainz 05 away with a 15:30 kick-off. Head coach Martínez knows: “After the break, there’ll be plenty of midweek fixtures – we want to be ready for them.”