The Werkself, unchanged from the 4-1 home win against Heidenheim, were dominant from the kick-off and took the lead on 18 minutes: After an attacking phase from the hosts, Mainz player Sepp van den Berg turned the ball into his own net from a low cross from Jeremie Frimpong. Otherwise there were few chances for either side with Bayer 04 taking a narrow lead into half-time. After the restart, the Werkself pressed for the second goal and this came in a memorable way. As in Munich, Alejandro Grimaldo hit a free kick over the wall into the net on 59 minutes. Jonas Hofmann rounded off the scoring six minutes later with a volley to make it 3-0 – and the fifth win in the current Bundesliga campaign was sealed. The match report is HERE.
After the final whistle, head coach Xabi Alonso was "happy with the result but it wasn't easy for us at all. We didn't play spectacularly well but were very efficient. The opening goal was a bit lucky but we did much better after the break and deserved to win in the end."
Holding midfielder Granit Xhaka added: "We knew it would be a physical game. We took on the challenge here 100%. We been working hard and with precision for weeks and months and are doing what the coach wants. Therefore the current success is no surprise to me." Jonas Hofmann talked about "fun and euphoria" as well as "humility." And he added: "We were alert and took on the challenges. Now it's about focusing on the next games and doing our job."
"Leverkusen continue riding the wave of success," was the view of the kicker that also highlighted the efficiency. The Bild Zeitung described the Werkself with the adjective "clinical. The first three Bayer shots on goal went in against Mainz!" The Rheinische Post reporting on the first half: "The visitors starting with the same line-up once again found it hard to get going. Bayer's top scorer Victor Boniface was on top of Mainz." As the performance levels rose after half-time with two goals for Leverkusen following, the individual assessments – as in Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger – were mainly positive towards Bayer 04. The once again in form Lukas Hradecky received the second highest mark as did Exequiel Palacios, Alejandro Grimaldo was awarded top marks.
Jonas Hofmann has experienced a really good start under the Cross. The new signing from league rivals Borussia Mönchengladbach has been directly involved in a goal in all six previous Bundesliga games. The Germany international scored against Darmstadt, Heidenheim and Mainz and provided assists against Leipzig, Borussia Mönchengladbach and Bayern Munich. In addition: Hofmann also got on the scoresheet against Teutonia 05 Ottensen (DFB Pokal) and Häcken (UEFA Europa League).
Nadiem Amiri has reached a milestone. The 26-year-old came on for Hofmann on 86 minutes to make his 100th Bundesliga appearance for Bayer 04 – congratulations.
The number of shots on goal did not favour the Werkself at the away game at the MEWA Arena: There were six Leverkusen attempts compared to ten from Mainz. It is impressive looking at these numbers that Jonas Hofmann and Co. put every second effort into the back of the net. All the other stats went Bayer 04's way: 55% possession, 58% of challenges won and a better pass completion rate (87 to 83%).
Eyes will be on the German Football Museum in Dortmund on Sunday evening where the draw will be made for the second round of the DFB Pokal from 19.15 CEST (games to be played on 31 October/1 November). The next game for the Werkself in the coming week is in the UEFA Europa League. Bayer 04 will set off for Norway on Wednesday morning for the second Europa League group match on Thursday away to the Norwegian champions Molde (kick-off: 21.00 CEST). Sunday afternoon at 15.30 CEST brings the Bundesliga derby against FC Köln at home at the BayArena. That is followed by the next international break.
We are taking the Day of German Unity and the anniversary as an opportunity to tell a story that befits the subject - that of Falko Götz. The long-serving player, who currently works in scouting at Bayer 04, spoke to bayer04.de about his youth in the GDR, his escape during an away game in Belgrade and how he identifies with Bayer 04.
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With seven points from five games, Union Berlin have made a decent start to the season. Particularly in the wins against VfB Stuttgart and Eintracht Frankfurt, the Irons, who are otherwise known for their strong defence, impressively demonstrated they also have a lot to offer in attack. They will be looking to prove this once again at the BayArena on Saturday, 4 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST, match on Sky and highlights on DAZN). The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Derby time in the Rhineland! After a successful September, the Bayer 04 Women are away to FC Köln on Sunday, 4 October. In the Bundesliga match kicking off at 18:30 CEST at the Franz Kremer Stadium (live on MagentaSport and DAZN), coach Roberto Pätzold is counting on the return of a number of players who have been absent through injury.
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Bayer 04 will have to manage without defender Axel Tape for the time being.
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A special tribute to a German football legend: The pay-TV channel Sky has dedicated a documentary worth watching to the current Germany sporting director and former Bayer 04 player and sporting director Rudi Völler. In addition to Völler's impressive career, assessments from contemporaries and very private insights, the 90-minute film also covers his many years of commitment to Bayer 04. "Rudi Völler - The one and only" is now available exclusively on Sky and the associated streaming service WOW.
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