Back
1.03.2020Bundesliga

Werkself share points in 1-1 draw at Leipzig

Bayer 04 drew 1-1 at RB Leipzig in a high-quality Bundesliga encounter. The Werkself excelled against their second-placed opponents, particularly in the first half, and took a deserved lead through Leon Bailey (29’), which was cancelled out shortly after by Patrik Schick (32’).
crop_20200103_NB_B04_gegen_Leipzig_74543.jpg

Bayer 04 coach Peter Bosz made three changes from the team that started in the 3-1 win at Porto on Thursday. Exequiel Palacios returned to the side in place of injured captain Lars Bender (bruised hip), Wendell replaced Daley Sinkgraven on the left side of defence and in attack, Leon Bailey was preferred to Moussa Diaby, who was still in the squad after the birth of his son – as was Charles Aránguiz, who recovered from illness.

WERKSELF START STRONGLY AND GO IN FRONT

From the first minute it was clear that two of the top teams in the Bundesliga were going up against each other, with early pressing, high tempo and high intensity. The Werkself started confidently, were quick in the challenge and asked questions of the hosts’ defence early on. Kerem Demirbay had the first attempt on goal in the fifth minute, when his curler warmed the gloves of RB goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi. Defensively Bosz’s men also started well, hardly giving Leipzig’s star-studded attack a sniff of goal – as epitomised by an excellent tackle by Sven Bender on Germany striker Timo Werner in the penalty area. 

Bayer 04 remained the more dominant and threatening side. Palacios fired just wide with the outside of his boot (21’) and Kai Havertz shot straight at Gulacsi (23’), who also smothered a header from Lucas Alario (28’). An opening goal was coming and it did so just a minute later. Nadiem Amiri charged down the right-hand side and played in Havertz, who lifted his head up and played a classy cut-back to Bailey, who finished off a quick move to give Bayer 04 the lead.

LEIPZIG HIT BACK IMMEDIATELY BUT BAYER KEEP AT IT

The goal was the reward for a great first half-hour from the Werkself, which made it even more frustrating that the lead didn’t last long as Leipzig equalised with their first real chance of the game, Schick rising highest from Christopher Nkunku’s cross and heading into the left corner. It remained the hosts’ only opening of the first half, with Bayer 04 regaining their ascendancy in the contest. After a nice move down the left, Angelino blocked Amiri’s fierce volley (39’), before Alario was denied by Gulacsi after running through the opposition half. The 1-1 scoreline at the break was certainly flattering for RB.

GAME OPENS UP

Having had little to do in the first half, Bayer keeper Lukas Hradecky was called into action less than a minute after the restart, making a fine save from Nkunku. This acted as a wake-up call for Leipzig, who now pushed higher up the pitch and began to attack more. But Bayer managed to calm things down and keep their opponents at bay with some gentle passing, and it was they who had the next opportunity in the 57th minute, when Bailey tested Gulacsi. 

With Leipzig now having significantly more of the play than in the first half, it became an open and entertaining contest with chances for both sides. Demirbay’s shot was deflected narrowly off-target (61’), while at the other end, Schick headed wide from a corner after Amiri had blocked a dangerous effort from Angelino (63’). Bosz decided to bring in the tactical nous of Charles Aránguiz during this intense period, with the Chilean replacing Palacios (64’). The Werkself boss made another substitution minutes later, bringing on new father Diaby for Bailey. At the same time, Leipzig took off Werner – who had been well contained by the Werkself defence – and threw on Yussuf Poulsen (71’).

ALARIO WITH FINAL CHANCE AS GAME PETERS OUT

Not too much more happened after that as the two teams cancelled each other out and played with discipline. It was only in the dying minutes that both teams created any notable opportunities. Marcel Sabitzer’s long-range effort whistled over the bar (87’), while the Werkself had a claim for a penalty when Alario’s shot was blocked by the arm of Nordi Mukiele – but referee Felix Zwayer turned away their justified appeals (89’). 

And so it ended 1-1 and Bayer’s run of six successive wins in all competitions came to an end, but the performance should give them further confidence ahead of Wednesday’s DFB Cup quarter-final against Union Berlin. Kick-off at the BayArena is 18:30 CET.

Match stats:

RB Leipzig: Gulacsi - Klostermann, Upamecano, Halstenberg - Mukiele, Sabitzer, Angelino - Forsberg, Nkunku (Haidara 76') - Schick (Wolf 82'), Werner (Poulsen 71')

Bayer 04: Hradecky – Tah, S. Bender, Tapsoba –Amiri, Palacios (Aránguiz 64'), Demirbay, Wendell – Havertz, Alario (Bellarabi 90'), Bailey (Diaby 71')

Goals: 0-1 Bailey (29'), 1-1 Schick (32')

Referee: Felix Zwayer (Berlin)

Booked: Demirbay, Tah, Diaby

Attendance: 42,216

Related News

Estrella Merino Gonzalez
Women - 11.07.2025

First goal for Fudalla: Women's friendly against Zwolle ends all square

The second friendly and the first goal for the Bayer 04 Women: The Werkself just missed out on their first win in the preseason away to top-flight Dutch side PEC Zwolle. The team led by coach Roberto Pätzold drew 1-1 on Friday afternoon in Wezep. As with the friendly against TSG Hoffenheim (0-2) a number of first-team players were absent. The coach once again shared out time on the pitch for the 20-player squad. The goal of the match was scored by summer signing Vanessa Fudalla (67').

Show more
Bayer 04
eSports - 11.07.2025

#B04eSports: Landwehr cousins Landwehr agree two-year extension

Continuity under the Cross: After the successful season in 2024/25 with reaching the final of the VBL Club Championship, the two Leverkusen e-sports players Marc and Sean Landwehr have extended their contracts at Bayer 04 by an additional two years. Marc is thereby in his sixth year and Sean in his third year with the Werkself. Together with e-talent Marcus Hüttemann, who has also extended his stay at Bayer 04 Bayer year, completes the current squad for the 2025/26 season.

Show more
Bayer 04
Bayer 04 - 11.07.2025

Bayer 04 sign striker Christian Kofane from Albacete

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed centre forward Christian Kofane. The 18-year-old Cameroonian joins Leverkusen from Spanish second tier club Albacete on a contract to 30 June 2029.

Show more
Auswärtstrikot 2025/26
Bayer 04 - 11.07.2025

Bold design in colours of the city: Bayer 04 and New Balance present 2025/26 away jersey

Bayer 04 Leverkusen will wear the new away kit for the 2025/26 season at the start of the training camp in Brazil. In conscious contrast to the international aspect of this year's training camp in Rio de Janeiro, kit supplier New Balance has designed a jersey for the Werkself players and all other Bayer 04 teams with distinct links to home.

Show more