Werkself Review #RBLB04: Three vital points and feel-good stories to finish year

The media wanted to know if Malik Tillman had thought back in September and the team’s indifferent start to the season that they would go into the winter break in third place with 29 points from 15 games. His answer was short and clear: “Honestly, yes, because I simply believe in this team.” That team had just won 3-1 at RB Leipzig, who hadn’t dropped a single point at home previously this season. Here’s all the round-up from the game in our Werkself Review.

Summary: Quick double turns game around

With third place on the line for both teams coming into the game, the action got off to a rapid start. Bayer 04 had around two thirds of the possession and several chances but fell behind after 35 minutes through Xaver Schlager. However, Kasper Hjulmand’s side had an immediate response and took a 2-1 half-time lead thanks to Martin Terrier’s header and Patrik Schick’s superb finish in the space of four minutes. It was the first time this season a visiting team had gone ahead at the Red Bull Arena, so Leipzig resumed eager to put that right. But they found no way through Mark Flekken or his defence. Leverkusen finally put the game to bed deep in added time when teenage debutant Montrell Culbreath added a third on the counter. Read more about the game in our report HERE.

Reaction: “Created a standing again” at home and in Europe

“We remained calm after conceding and showed a great reaction,” said goalscorer Terrier of the end of the first half and the team’s comeback. Coach Hjulmand added at his press conference that he was “very proud of what the team have done in recent months. We’re well placed in all three competitions”.

„I’m very proud of what the team have done in recent months.Kasper Hjulmand

Talking to Werkself-TV, goalscoring debutant Culbreath spoke about his special evening. “The coaching staff, the bosses, the club – everyone has backed me. I’m really happy I’ve been able to give something back. It was incredible,” said the 18-year-old. “I just saw the goal and then shot. And it worked! I definitely don’t need any more Christmas presents. Today was the greatest present ever,” he added.

Following on from his answer about the team, Tillman in the mixed zone continued: “Obviously things didn’t start well, but we’ve now created a good standing in the league and also in Europe. But there’s still a lot of room for improvement. We can do a lot more.”

What the papers said: “Leverkusen in festive mood”

Bild described the match as a “thrilling encounter between two challengers” and also referenced the numerous absentees on both sides, saying, “There was no sign of personnel problems from either team. It was pure full-throttle football.” The Express ran with the headline “Schick gifts Bayer three points”, while WAZ said “Leverkusen in festive mood”. According to the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, the Werkself’s “attack was ultimately more clinical. Despite missing players, Leverkusen impressed with good play and well-delivered attacks”. The Rheinische Post handed out good ratings to Flekken, Arthur, Aleix García, Nathan Tella, Tillman and Terrier, and went one better for Schick.

Personnel: Schick out in front, Culbreath joins illustrious list

It was the first time this season that Hjulmand made as many as five changes to his line-up from one Bundesliga game to another, including the inclusion of Terrier from the start after his goal in the derby against Köln. The Frenchman has now scored in back-to-back Bundesliga matches for the first time and already boasts more goals in eight games this season (three) than he managed in 15 in 2024/25 (two).

Schick’s first right-footed finish since last January was also his 70th goal in Leverkusen colours, taking him past Dimitar Berbatov as the club’s record non-German goalscorer.

As for Culbreath, he marked his first-team debut with his first senior goal. Aged 18 years, three months and 21 days, he’s the fourth-youngest player to score for Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, behind Florian Wirtz, Kai Havertz and Julian Brandt. Asked about the teenager, Hjulmand said, “He’s taken big steps forward in recent weeks. We’ve seen that clearly in training. But it’s not just about the individual player. It’s also great praise for the work of our academy and staff.”

The good news continued with the long-awaited returns of Axel Tape, Lucas Vázquez and Ezequiel Fernández from injury.

Stats: Ending Leipzig’s home record

It was the first time since March against VfB Stuttgart that the Werkself had come from 1-0 down to win a game in the Bundesliga. The result was also Leipzig’s first home loss of the season, having won all six of their Bundesliga fixtures at the Red Bull Arena prior to Saturday.

Bayer 04 also had more of the ball (57% possession) and the better pass completion (90% vs. 85%), but Leipzig had more shots on goal (19-15). The challenges were almost even, edged slightly by the hosts (51%).

Coming up: Resumption at home to Stuttgart

After a short winter break, Leverkusen return to competitive action for 2026 at home against Stuttgart in the Bundesliga on Saturday, 10 January (18:30 CET). The fixture list is busy from there, with a midweek trip to Hamburg and then away at Hoffenheim the following weekend. Find out more about the plans for the new year HERE.