Both teams started the match with high intensity. Mainz had the better chances early on through Angelo Fulgini and Silvan Widmer. However, the Werkself stuck to their game plan and were visibly focused on resolute defending. The guests made a number of mistakes in defence, which the Seoane team were able to exploit. The deadlock was broken on 29 minutes with a low long-range effort from Exequiel Palacios from a corner by Kerem Demirbay that was deflected into his own net by Mainz player Jonathan Burkardt. After the opener, it looked like the weight was lifted off the shoulders of the visitors from Leverkusen. Jeremie Frimpong netted a brace within 95 seconds (39', 41',) – the Dutchman extended the Black and Red lead to 3-0 before half-time. After the restart, the hosts again and again created chances but the Werkself continue to concentrate on the job at hand with the final scoreline remaining at 3-0. HERE is the match report.
Gerardo Seoane showed his pleasure at the successful game plan in the post-match press conference: "We didn't play in the same way as in the last matches. But in our situation it was necessary to place more emphasis on defence. We were compact, gave away little space and were good in transition." Above all, the points gained have helped the team gain optimism and confidence according to Seoane: "We succeeded in showing another side of ourselves and bringing a different level of energy onto the pitch. We are happy with the points and we can look forward now."
Robert Andrich was also clear after the game speaking to Werkself TV: "Our unity and team thinking are the keys to success." The midfielder stated the way forward in the coming matches: "It has to be difficult to get chances against us. We will always get our chances up front."
As announced by Gerardo Seoane, the 43-year-old primarily focused on solid defence in the match at Mainz. In contrast the mostly favoured 4-2-3-1 line-up with lots of desire to get up the pitch, the Swiss coach this time opted for a 3-5-2 system – with Jeremie Frimpong as a wing back. He crowned his more attacking position with the aforementioned brace. The Dutchman was however modest when speaking after the game: "We knew we've got off to a bad start and we had to give our all today. So it was a great feeling for me to be able to help the team with the goals."
Mainz had 18 shots on Lukas Hradecky’s goal but the Seoane team impressed above all with their efficiency this time: There were eight shots on goal with three ending up in the back of the net. In terms of possession, Mainz 05 had 61%. The Werkself had their noses in front in one crucial area: Jonathan Tah & Co. had a completed challenges rate of 55% – decisive in this physical encounter.
The WELT am Sonntag describes the victory as a "release", the Express headline reads: "Leverkusen breathe a sigh of relief" and describe the opening goal as follows: "This happy moment appeared to be a release. Suddenly possession was won in dangerous areas while Mainz completely lost the plot." SPORT1 supports that conclusion: "Bayer Leverkusen got rid of their frustration with a performance that was frenetic at times."
Keeper Hradecky and the scorer of the brace Frimpong impressed in the individual assessments. There were top marks for both in the BILD-Zeitung with Frimpong included in the Team of the Day with his first brace. There was also top marks from the Rheinische Post and lots of praise for the 21-year-old: "Again and again he put the Mainz defence under pressure with his dribbling at pace but also demonstrated his ability in defence.
The Werkself have a home game on Saturday 3 September (kick-off: 15.30 CEST): This time SC Freiburg are the visitors at the BayArena. Freiburg have already secured three wins with the Streich team only losing in a 3-1 defeat against Borussia Dortmund. The Werkself then have their first match in the UEFA Champions League four days later. Bayer 04 are away to Club Brugge in Group B on Wednesday 7 September (kick-off: 21.00 CEST). Leverkusen return to Bundesliga action three days later on Saturday 10 September at Hertha Berlin (kick-off: 15.30 CEST).
The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
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After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
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When Exequiel Palacios moved from the Argentinian club River Plate to Bayer Leverkusen on 1 January 2020, the then 21-year-old could not have imagined just how successful the next six and a half years would be for him. Pala, as he is known, had already won the Copa Libertadores – the most prestigious competition in South American club football – with River Plate. But there were still so many more trophies to come.
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To mark Exequiel Palacios’s departure, we’ve put together a compilation of the midfielder’s finest and most important goals from his six-and-a-half years at the club.
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