Werkself review #SVDB04: Important win ahead of busy week

Summary: Gradually got into the game

The Lilies made a courageous start to the game and had the first attacking moves. But the most clear-cut chance in the first 15 minutes fell to the Black and Reds in the shape of Adam Hlozek: The Czech striker received the ball from Alejandro Grimaldo and he put his shot just to the right of the target (16'). Leverkusen initially struggled against a combative Darmstadt side but gradually came into the game as it progressed. The Werkself used an attack on 33 minutes to take the lead: Nathan Tella headed a cross from Grimaldo into the net at the far post. The Nigeria international fired a shot into the roof of the next few minutes after the restart to make it 2-0 (52'). The goal was set up by Granit Xhaka with a pass to Florian Wirtz and the playmaker then put the ball through to Tella. The flow of the game was then disrupted by numerous substitutions and breaks in play. The Werkself remain focused to seal the 2-0 away win. The match report.

Reaction: "Wanted to produce a response"

Head coach Xabi Alonso said after the final whistle: "It's a good win. We had enough control even though it wasn't easy. The opposition had space to run onto in the first 15 minutes and then we did well to correct that. And the first goal from Nathan was very important. We are happy."

Double goalscorer Tella was relieved after the game: "We wanted to produce a response after the draw against Gladbach where we had so many unused chances. We knew it would be difficult here and that we had to take our chances. We were very focused and deserved the win." The Nigeria international then said with anticipation: "We’ve got two great home games coming up. First, we’ll concentrate with full focus and all our energy on Stuttgart – and then carry on." Xhaka had a similar view of the game: "We produced a commanding performance from the start. We won a lot of duels today, gave little away and deserved to win in the end. As a footballer, you want to play in the two games next week. We're looking forward to those matches."

What the papers say: "Untouchable after the restart"

The kicker summed up the game as follows: "Against an initially very battling and in no way hopeless Darmstadt, Bayer played well up to half-time, moved up a gear after the restart and then remained untouchable. The Rheinische Post came to the following conclusion: "Darmstadt began with gusto. Leverkusen took a backseat at first." Bild described the away win as an "uncontested regulation 2-0 win." The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger summed up proceedings: "Darmstadt were tough opponents, worked hard, were very aggressive in challenges."

Personnel: Debuts and firsts

Winter signing Borja Iglesias came straight into the starting XI against Darmstadt for his debut in a Bayer 04 shirt. The Spaniard on his first outing: "I'm happy with my debut. It was a good and physical game and I tried to help the team wherever I could."

Tella made his first start in a league game and scored his first brace for the Werkself. Teammate Xhaka on the performance of the Nigerian: "He always works really well and I'm happy for him. He has earned this moment." Tella was awarded top marks by the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger and the paper described his impressive second goal as a "textbook instep shot." The KStA also awarded high marks to Xhaka and wrote about the Switzerland record international and teammate Wirtz: "Xhaka was at the heart of every attack. And Wirtz played with the commitment and body language Leverkusen need." Wirtz and Tella were also included in the Bild Team of the Day.

Grimaldo provided his fifth assist in his last five Bundesliga matches setting up the first goal of the game and that is more than in his previous 15 league appearances (four). It was Grimaldo's eleventh goal involvement on the road (six goals, five assists) – the top number in the league ahead of Bayern Munich's Harry Kane (ten).

Stats: Numerous duels

108 challenges including 14 fouls by Darmstadt and eight by Bayer Leverkusen reflect a close-fought encounter, particularly at the beginning and end of the match. There were also plenty of shots on goal: 20 for the Black and Reds and eight for the Lilies. With 67.1% possession and more than twice as many passes (771 to 371) the Werkself came out on top in those categories when comparing the match stats.

The victory also brings Leverkusen another top mark: The 52 points from the first 20 games in this Bundesliga campaign means the Werkself have picked up more points at this stage than in the whole of last season (50). The Werkself also remain unbeaten for the 29th game in succession.

Outlook: DFB-Pokal tie against Stuttgart and then Bayern

Match action returns in three days: The DFB-Pokal quarter-final against VfB Stuttgart is on Tuesday 6 February with a 20.45 CET kick off at the BayArena. That is followed by the top game on Bundesliga Matchday 21 between the league leaders Bayer 04 and second-placed Bayern Munich. The BayArena is again the venue on Saturday 10 February (kick-off 18.30 CET).