Werkself review #SCFB04: Character shown in 'drab display'

Summary: Late double whammy secures point

The Werkself had more possession in the first half but failed to create a shot on goal. The defence of the superior Freiburg team remained unthreatened for a long time while Matej Kovar produced an impressive save to deny Junior Adamu (34’) at the other end. Kovar was beaten ten minutes later when a shot from Maximilian Eggestein from outside the box was slightly deflected into the back of the net. It was a similar picture after the restart: Two thirds possession for the double winners but the next goal was also scored by SCF – this time an own goal from Piero Hincapie who did all he could to challenge Adamu but ended up touching the ball last. In the closing stages, Florian Wirtz produced an impressive solo run and a clinical finish to make it 2-1 (82'). The Werkself pressed forward and secured a point when Jonathan Tah scored with a header in the third minute of added time for the final score of 2-2. HERE is the match report.

Reaction: "We didn't play well overall"

Head coach Xabi Alonso: "We had control for 15 to 20 minutes but then gave the ball away too often and Freiburg played well. I always say to the lads that a 2-0 lead is dangerous – one goal and anything can happen. We had a chance again after the brilliant goal scored by Flo and then Jonas scored too. We have mixed feelings overall today."

Amine Adli: "Conceding the goal before half-time was tough for us and then the second came just after the restart. It's never easy playing in Freiburg. But we showed again we are a strong team with character. Everybody on the pitch gave their all right to the end."

Tah: "We started well but then eased off and gave the ball away too often. It carried on like that in the second half and we didn't play well overall. But we scored the goals in the end and that was important."

What the papers say: "Unusual errors in defence"

The Rheinische Post reported a "harmless performance" following the game and the individual analysis was of similar ilk. The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger highlighted the "maintenance of the away run" but observed "one of the poorest games under Xabi Alonso". The kicker talked about a "drab Leverkusen" and "a couple of unusual mistakes in defence." 

Personnel: Tah joins 400 club - Wirtz on song

Tah reached an impressive milestone in his third from last game for the Werkself: The 29-year-old, under the Cross for ten years, made his 400th appearance for Bayer 04 in Freiburg. Before him that has only been achieved by five other players: Record appearance maker Rüdiger Vollborn (487), Thomas Hörster (453), Ulf Kirsten (448), Stefan Kießling (444) and Carsten Ramelow (437).

Following his landmark game, which he rounded off with a last-minute equaliser, Tah said to Werkself TV: "I'm extremely grateful for the moments with all my teammates, staff, fans. I'm very proud looking back over all the years." It was Bundesliga goal number 18 of his career and his third this season – he only scored more in the title-winning campaign last season (four).

And the second Leverkusen goalscorer in the match, Wirtz, also clocked up an impressive stat: The now 22-year-old scored his tenth goal in the current Bundesliga campaign and, alongside FC Bayern's Michael Olise, is the only other player to have a double-digit number of goals and assists since the start of the season.

Stats: Away record in the Bundesliga equalled

Bayer 04 failed to have a shot on goal in the first half of the Bundesliga game for the first time since September 2018 but the last-minute equaliser showed the Werkself once again have persistence and great determination. It was the 13th point earned after going behind in the current Bundesliga season (only Bayern Munich have picked up more with 14 points). Leverkusen are now unbeaten in 33 Bundesliga away games (23 wins, 10 draws) and have equalled the record set by FC Bayern in the Bundesliga from 2012 to 2014.

The stats in the game, with the exception of the number of shots on goal (5 to 7), favour the Werkself: 68% possession, 53% of duels won and a pass completion rate of 85% (Freiburg: 68%).

Outlook: Final home game against Borussia Dortmund

The Werkself are next in action in the last home game of the season. The kick-off in front of a full house against Borussia Dortmund is on Sunday, 11 May at 15:30 CEST. Bayer 04 are away to Mainz 05 for the last match of the season (Saturday, 17 May, 15:30 CEST).