Werkself review #M05B04: ‘Getting better week by week’

Summary: Terrier's comeback goal secures away win

The thriller in front of a full house at the MEWA ARENA began with Alejandro Grimaldo giving the Werkself a deserved lead with a penalty (11'). Bayer 04 continued to play with confidence and energy. Christian Kofane doubled the lead at 2-0 (24') at the end of a great move involving Ezequiel Fernández  and Ernest Poku. Jae-Sung Lee (34’) pulled a goal back for Mainz but Grimaldo, set up by Jonas Hofmann in his first start this term, restored the two-goal lead at 3-1 (45+3’). It was no less exciting after the break: Nadiem Amiri netted a penalty to make it 3-2 before Martin Terrier, on his comeback after a nine-month injury lay-off, sealed the win with a goal at 4-2 (87'). Armindo Sieb scored a consolation goal on 90 minutes but Werkself secured a deserved and hard-fought away win.

• The match report

Reaction: "Getting up to speed more and more"

Terrier was happy with his first few minutes after injury and looked straight ahead: "That was just the first step. I want more, I want to get back to my top level. I'm looking forward to the next time." He also explained his shared goal celebration with the team and coaching staff in the dugout: "The goal was important for the team in this hard game. I also wanted to thank the doctors and physios who have supported me so well during my rehab."

Head coach Kasper Hjulmand was also happy about Terrier's return: "It was a great moment for him and the team. He has a lot of quality and we're delighted to have him back." The Dane also had words of praise for Jonas Hofmann's first start: "He's a very intelligent player, calm on the ball and has good vision in the final third. He had a good game and I'm very happy with him."

"It feels like we’re getting up to speed more and more," said Hofmann himself, summing up the development over recent weeks, adding: "We're getting better week by week, playing with more maturity and making fewer mistakes. We will continue to work."

• Post-match reaction

What the papers say: "Upward trend continues"

"Bayer Leverkusen have continued their upward trend", the Rheinische Post wrote reflecting the statements of Hofmann and co. The kicker reported "Terrier crowns comeback", while Bild-Zeitung also calls the Frenchman a "super sub" and names Grimaldo, who has been "outstanding for weeks", as the man of the match. "The Spaniard is maturing into a real leading player", added the Kölner Stadtanzeiger on Grimaldo under the headline "Strong Hofmann comeback". The Express headline reads: "Jubilant Bayer heading up the table."

Personnel: Bundesliga record for the skipper

Robert Andrich made his 150^th start in the Bundesliga against Mainz 05. But that is not the only reason the 31-year-old can celebrate: The away win at Mainz was his 38th consecutive Bundesliga away game without defeat. Jonas Hofmann also returned to the starting eleven for the first time since matchday 34 of last season. The opponents back then were Mainz 05.

On the subject of comebacks: After a nine-month injury lay-off, Martin Terrier played for the first time this season against Mainz 05 - and immediately scored his first goal. The Frenchman came on for Christian Kofane who again found the back of the opposition net. His strike to make it 2-0 was his third goal in three games. That makes Kofane the youngest player in the top five European leagues to achieve that feat this season.

Alejandro Grimaldo was once again the man of the match with two goals. The Spaniard is Bayer 04's top scorer with six goals and he has already surpassed his tally of four goals last term. Grimaldo also stands out with his defensive contribution, winning the third highest number of challenges in the Bundesliga.

Stats: A well-deserved away win for prolific Werkself

Not only captain Robert Andrich, but also Bayer 04 continued their record run of unbeaten away games in the Bundesliga and are now undefeated in 37 games on the road. In addition, the Werkself are unbeaten in four Bundesliga games in a row against Mainz 05 for the first time.

The Black and Reds remain prolific in front of goal, scoring in each of the last twelve league games across seasons. In the current campaign, the Werkself have the third-best attack, the second-best pass completion rate and have won the most duels. The positive league stats are also reflected on the pitch.

Outlook: First PSG then Freiburg

The Bundesliga is followed by Europe’s premier club competition: Bayer 04 host Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, 21 October (kick-off: 21:00 CEST) in the third game in the 2025/26 Champions League campaign. The Werkself are at home again on Sunday, 26 October, when SC Freiburg visit the BayArena in the Bundesliga. The kick-off is at 15:30 CET.