Werkself review #KSVB04: Professional and no frills in Kiel

Summary: Quickly on course for victory

It took the champions only nine minutes to take the lead against the Bundesliga newcomers as Patrik Schick turned home inside the six-yard box. Chances then followed for Amine Adli and Piero Hincapie, with Matej Kovar called in to clear ahead of Shuto Machino at the other end. It looked like staying at 1-0 going into the break on a difficult pitch until Adli doubled the advantage with a deft chip on the stroke of half-time. The Werkself then calmly and professionally saw out the scoreline in the second period. You can read more about the game in our match report HERE.

Reaction: “Very proud of the team’s performance”

Robert Andrich said after the final whistle: “You also need to be able to deal with difficult pitches, like we had here in Kiel today. We did that. We were very serious and simple in how we played from the start. We were really focused. It’s not just about performing and getting results in supposed bigger games but in every single game. I’m very proud of the team’s performance.” Head coach Xabi Alonso added at his press conference: “Obviously we’re very pleased with the result. We controlled and dominated the game well. After the last two draws away from home, this win was even more important for us.”

What the papers say: “Controlled the game at all times”

kicker saw it was a “commanding” success against “harmless” Kiel and declared the reigning double winners as the “only team chasing Bayern”. The summary in Bild read: “It was a commanding and dominant display by the Werkself, who left the winner in no doubt and controlled the game at all times. They were even able to shift down a gear. In contrast, the Storks never found a way to pose an attacking threat against a superior opponent.” The Rheinische Post ran with the headline: "Bayer Leverkusen do their job in Kiel". The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger said Leverkusen’s win was “never in danger”, adding that “The Werkself didn’t let a bad pitch or a tough opponent knock them”.

Personnel: Comebacks, milestones and records

Adli made his first start since fracturing his leg in October 2024 and immediately set up Schick for the opener before adding the second himself. It was the 24-year-old’s first goal in the Bundesliga this season, making him the 15th different Leverkusen player to score this campaign – a league high. “It couldn’t have gone better,” the Morocco international told Werkself-TV. When asked about Adli’s return, Alonso said, “Having Amine back on the pitch is important for everyone. His attitude and quality are super for the team, and we saw today the effect he can have on the pitch.”

As well as milestones for Edmond Tapsoba (150th Bundesliga appearance) and Andrich (100th Bundesliga appearance for Bayer 04), there was, of course, also talk after the match about Florian Wirtz. The 21-year-old set up Adli’s goal, meaning he has now scored or assisted against all 17 current Bundesliga rivals. The Germany international now has 10 assists in the Bundesliga this term to go with 11 last year, making him the only player in Europe’s top five leagues alongside Liverpool’s Mo Salah to set up 10 goals in each of the last two campaigns.

Stats: Two new records for Alonso

The win in Kiel makes Alonso the first coach in history to go unbeaten in 28 consecutive away games in the Bundesliga. Asked about that new record, the Spaniard said, “We’ve developed a top mentality, as this record shows. We’re efficient, we’re stable. We want to demonstrate those qualities again in our next away game in Frankfurt.” Alonso also claimed another piece of history as he’s now the first and only Bayer 04 boss to have beaten every opponent he has faced in the Bundesliga (21 teams).

The match stats were also very much in the Werkself’s favour in terms of shots (18-4), possession (62 percent), duels won (53 percent) and pass completion (82 vs. 72 percent).

Outlook: Two more away outings

Leverkusen are on the road again in the Bundesliga next week as they visit Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday (6.30pm CET) before the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie away at Bayern Munich (Wednesday, 5 March at 9pm).