Xabi Alonso made seven changes to his team from the dramatic win over Qarabag, and the Werkself got off to the perfect start when Florian Wirtz’s solo run and curling finish into the far corner got the 3,400 travelling Bayer 04 fans celebrating inside two minutes at the Europa-Park Stadion. The joy was only short-lived, though, as Ritsu Doan levelled after 10 minutes. Things calmed down after that until the final stages of the half when Adam Hlozek restored the lead going into the break. The Werkself continued to push after the restart and were quickly rewarded when Patrik Schick turned in Jeremie Frimpong’s cross via the help of both posts. Yannik Keitel got another back for the hosts with around 10 minutes to go, but the league leaders held on for a 3-2 win – the team’s seventh in a row in the Bundesliga to extend Bayer 04’s unbeaten run this season to 38 games. Read more about the match in our report.
“It’s fun to be on the pitch with these guys every week, and it was fun again from the start today. We were well set up for a tough game and immediately focused. We’ll continue to work hard and give everything every day,” said Wirtz after the game to Werkself-TV. Schick, who got his fourth goal in as many games, said of his run: “I work hard, just like all of us. And obviously it helps to have good crosses from my teammates, like today from Jeremie for my goal. Now is the most important part of the season, and we need every single player for that.”
“Bayer 04 pass Freiburg test” was the headline from the Rheinische Post. The Süddeutsche Zeitung didn’t believe it was an “overwhelming display” but Leverkusen “just keep on winning”. Bild highlighted the stat of 33 wins from that 38-match unbeaten run and described it as the streak “of champions”. kicker referred to the win as the “calm after the crazy” of the Qarabag result.
Jonathan Tah made his 250th Bundesliga appearance for Bayer 04, having made his league debut for the club in the 2-1 win at home to Hoffenheim on 15 August 2015. Tah himself said after the game in Freiburg: “I’m very pleased about this milestone. A lot of nice things have happened down the years and in all those games. I personally have come on a lot, but the club and the team have also taken big steps forward. We now want to keep gibing our all and reap the rewards for this season.”
Goalscorer Hlozek made his 50th Bundesliga appearance in Leverkusen colours, while Wirtz equalled his personal best campaign for league goals scored with seven.
Victory in Freiburg was Bayer 04’s sixth in a row away from home in the Bundesliga – a new club record. That streak began with the 1-0 win in Augsburg and has been followed by success in Leipzig, Darmstadt, Heidenheim and Cologne. The Werkself lead the Bundesliga for away points this season with 35 out of a possible 39, followed in second by Bayern (26).
The stats from the Freiburg game also went the way of Alonso’s men with 68 percent possession, 52 percent of challenges won, 19-11 on shots and a better passing rate (92 vs. 79 percent).
There’s a week off for the final international break of the year before Bayer 04 welcome Hoffenheim to the BayArena on Saturday, 30 March (3.30pm CET). That’s the start of three weeks of games every three/four days.
With seven points, Mainz 05 are currently joint seventh, level on points with sixth-placed Bayer 04. In today’s head-to-head clash (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself must be particularly wary of the clinical Mainz strike duo. For Leverkusen fans who have left it to the last minute, there are still a few tickets available from the matchday ticket office. Those following the Black and Reds from home, on the other hand, have a choice: RTL is broadcasting the match on free-to-air TV, and Werkself Radio is also offering the expert commentary of former Bayer 04 player Falko Götz. Today’s matchday news.
Show more
Back from the international break: On Saturday 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to Mainz 05. Ahead of the clash at the MEWA ARENA against the side currently sixth in the table, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the team’s work during the extended international break. The Spaniard also commented, when asked, on a number of squad matters, including Ibrahim Maza.
Show more
FSV Mainz 05 went into the international break on the back of an away win at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Currently sixth in the table, the Rheinhessen side – who have been impressive on the road – now aim to continue their good start to the Bundesliga campaign at home when they face the Werkself on Saturday, 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). In terms of squad selection, Urs Fischer once again has more options at his disposal. Up front, the Mainz coach is likely to continue relying on what is currently the league’s most successful strike partnership. The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show more
Thomas Eichin has been working for Bayer 04 for six years – as Director of Professional Teams since July 2023 – and has contributed to the successful development of our club in many areas. Today, Friday 9 October, Freiburg-born Eichin is celebrating his 60th birthday. We wish him a very happy birthday.
Show more
Together with his family, friends and close associates, Bayer 04 Leverkusen bid farewell to Peter Hermann. The club’s long-serving assistant manager passed away on 19 September following a serious illness. Today, Thursday 8 October, Bayer 04 held an event attended by around 200 invited guests to commemorate Peter Hermann’s legacy. Representatives from the DFB and the other professional clubs where Hermann worked paid their respects to him at the BayArena.
Show more
