Werkself review #WOBB04: Ice cold in Wolfsburg

SUMMARY: A GOAL WITH EVERY SHOT

The Bayer 04 performance in the first half at the Volkswagen Arena was a dream come true for every fan of efficiency. Every shot produces a goal, was the motto of the Leverkusen team, who only needed three attempts for their three goals. Firstly Jonas Hofmann, like a seasoned marksman with a good eye, scored the opening goal when he turned a pass from Alejandro Grimaldo into the corner of the net (9'). Edmond Tapsoba headed home a cross from Aleix Garcia to make it 2-0 (24'), before Malik Tillman, after Garcia upped the pace and a great ball from Patrik Schick, skilfully beat VfL keeper Grabara in a one-on-one (33'). After the break, the hosts came into the game and were able to pull a goal back through Denis Vavro (57'). Bayer 04 were then somewhat fortunate that VAR ruled out a Jonas Wind goal (62') for offside. At the other end, Ernest Poku missed the chance to make it four for the Werkself after a great counter-attack and cross from Hofmann. HERE is the match report.

REACTION: "ALL GOOD THINGS COME IN THREES"

Satisfied expressions on the faces of the Bayer 04 players wherever you looked after the final whistle in Wolfsburg. There was unanimous agreement among the Werkself that they produced a solid team display in the first 45 minutes. "The first half was very good," said Malik Tillman, but continued: "After that, we lost our rhythm and made too many simple mistakes. But we won and we're happy about that. And I'm happy I was able to contribute with my goal." Tillman commented on the fact he scored his third goal of the season for Leverkusen's third goal of the game on 33 minutes: "All good things come in threes."

The same could also be said for Edmond Tapsoba, who was among the goalscorers in Wolfsburg for the third time this season. The centre-back also praised goalkeeper Mark Flekken: "Thank you to Mark, he made some crucial saves." Jonas Hofmann also rated the win as a strong platform for the coming weeks: "It's very good that we immediately recaptured the positive feeling we showed before the international break. That's particularly important because we've got some tough games coming up."

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY: PRAISE FOR HOFMANN AND GARCIA

Bild am Sonntag commented on the Werkself moving climb up the table, which saw them secure a Champions League slot for the first time this season: "Finally! Leverkusen back on course for second place." In its player review, the Rheinische Post gave two Werkself professionals a straight "A": Aleix Garcia ("The mastermind in midfield and involved in two goals") and Jonas Hofmann ("Experiencing his third renaissance under Hjulmand"). The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger also named Hofmann the man of the match: "He scored the opener with great composure and vision and he did very well in his new role as a right wing-back in place of the injured Arthur." Kicker summed up the action on the pitch as follows: "Strong first half: Leverkusen show Wolfsburg their limits."

PERSONNEL: HJULMAND SETS RECORD

One record failed to materialise in Wolfsburg: Patrik Schick, who like Dimitar Berbatov has scored 69 Bundesliga goals for the Werkself to date, will have to wait a little longer before he can claim the sole position of Bayer 04's foreign top goalscorer. But in this case, postponed is certainly not cancelled. However, another record was broken in the Autostadt: Kasper Hjulmand is now the head coach with the best starting record in Leverkusen's Bundesliga history. In the nine Bundesliga games under the Dane, the Black and Reds have picked up 22 out of a possible 27 points, which means Hjulmand has surpassed the previous best set by Jupp Heynckes, when the Werkself clocked up 21 points in 2009.

STATS: WERKSELF DANGEROUS EARLY DOORS

Bayer 04 demonstrated their prolific goal threat at the start of the game in Wolfsburg. Jonas Hofmann's opener was the Werkself's sixth goal of the season in the opening quarter of an hour, the best return in the league. In terms of match stats, the Black and Reds dominated in most categories, with VfL only ahead in shots on goal (21 to 7) and corner kicks (9 to 1). Bayer 04 were on top in terms of completed passes (90 per cent compared to 83 for Wolfsburg), possession (62 per cent) and duels (54 per cent).

COMING UP: CITY ON TUESDAY, BVB ON SATURDAY

Bayer 04 now have three three-game weeks in a row ahead of them. That starts with the fifth match in the league phase in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, 25 November, at Manchester City (kick-off: 21:00 CET). That is followed by the top match in the Bundesliga against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, 29 November, with the kick-off at the BayArena at 18:30 CET.