Werkself review #SCFB04: Satisfied with the performance but not the result

SUMMARY: SECOND GOAL ON THE CARDS

Both teams had good chances in an initially well-balanced encounter. The most successful opportunity was converted by Vincenzo Grifo on 29 minutes with a goal from a free kick that gave SC Freiburg the lead. The team under head coach Xabi Alonso produced a response and searched for the equaliser in the following minutes with big chances for Moussa Diaby (12’), Kerem Demirbay (39’) and Jeremie Frimpong (40’) but none of them could find the back of the net. In the second half, Sardar Azmoun finally scored the long-awaited leveller at 1-1 with an impressive volley on 67 minutes. It was primarily Leverkusen who pressed forward in search of the winner in the final minutes but there were no more goals scored. HERE is the match report.

REACTION: "COMING BACK FROM BEHIND WAS IMPORTANT"

Xabi Alonso summed up the game at the post-match press conference: "After the intense match in Monaco on Thursday we wanted to give our all again today. We can be happy with the point," said the Spaniard before adding: "We had chances to win but so did Freiburg. There is the saying, 'If you can't win then at least don't lose'– and that was apt today. The point is not so bad. It's important for us to go one better against Hertha on Sunday." And captain Lukas Hradecky also saw the result as positive: "Coming back from behind and gaining a point in a difficult away game was important. Now we have to take it game by game and, above all, pick up points.”

PERSONNEL: ANDRICH'S DEFENSIVE ROLE

Xabi Alonso had to make changes in defence. Jonathan Tah and Piero Hincapie were both suspended for the match in Freiburg. That meant the established central defenders Odilon Kossounou and Edmond Tapsoba played alongside Robert Andrich in the Werkself back three. The holding midfielder formed the middle part of the defence – and he also produced a solid performance in that position. There was a mark of three from kicker and the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger with the Rheinische Post awarding a two. Alonso also found words of praise for the Werkself number eight: "Without Jona and without Piero, we had to come up with an idea and it worked well with Robert Andrich. I had great confidence in Rob. A good midfielder can play in that position. It's an option for the future."

More good news: Sardar Azmoun not only scored his first goal of the season with his volley on 67 minutes to make it 1-1. The 28-year-old striker became the sixteenth Werkself player to get on the goalscorers’ list this term – the highest number in the league (along with RB Leipzig).

STATS: TWICE AS MANY SHOTS

Talking about statistics: The Werkself had 18 shots on goal, twice as many as at Freiburg. The Black and Reds were also ahead in possession with 55% and the same goes for the pass completion rate of 80% (Freiburg: 74%). Freiburg made more challenges at a level of 51%. 

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY: "DESERVED POINT"

The Rheinische Post headline reads: "Bayer pick up deserved point in the Breisgau." The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger sums up the match as follows: “Azmoun rescues Bayer 04.” The Express also opted for “Azmoun rewards Bayer.” The kicker assesses the draw for the Black and Reds as positive: "One step forwards for Azmoun and Bayer.”

OUTLOOK: FAMILY MATCHDAY AT THE BAYARENA

After two fixture-packed weeks in succession, the Werkself only have the Bundesliga home match against Hertha Berlin this week. The clash with the club from the capital at the BayArena on Sunday 5 March kicks off at 15.30 CET – and with a special motto: On the family matchday, supported by main sponsor Barmenia, Bayer 04 fans can look forward to attractive prices and lots of events for children and families.