Werkself wow fans with 6-0 rout of Heidenheim at BayArena

Head coach Kasper Hjulmand made three changes to the team that started the 1-0 win at Benfica in midweek: captain Robert Andrich, Jonas Hofmann and Patrik Schick replaced Jarell Quansah, Claudio Echeverri and Christian Kofane.

Schick and Hofmann clinical, Poku and Maza artistic

And the Werkself made a perfect start in front of their own supporters. Ibrahim Maza won the ball in his own half and then played in Ernest Poku perfectly with a long ball. He laid it off to Schick, who netted with a powerful strike into the far corner. Two minutes later, the Czech's next effort was blocked. It was all Leverkusen and they were rewarded with the second goal in the 16th minute, when Hofmann headed in from Edmond Tapsoba's cross. The onslaught continued as Heidenheim goalkeeper Diant Ramaj collided with his own defender from a cross and Schick ran in to help the ball over the line. The next goal scored more points for artistry, with Poku turning in Arthur's cross with a first-time flick at mid-height on 27 minutes. It was the first time in Bundesliga history that Bayer 04 have led 4-0 so early. Maza had the final say at the end of a thoroughly impressive first half from the Werkself, sliding in the fifth goal in stoppae time.

Maza stretches lead - Pro debut for Sarco

With Malik Tillman and Martin Terrier brought on for the second half, the hosts quickly picked up where they left off before heading into the dressing room: the impressive Maza set off on a solo run through the centre and finished, half with his toe and half with the outside of his foot, to make it 6-0 in the 53rd minute. Having scored his maiden goal in the Bundesliga, the youngster followed it up directly with the first brace of his professional career! Shortly afterwards, Jeanuel Belocian and Alejo Sarco came on, with the 19-year-old Argentine making his professional debut for Bayer 04. Then things quietened down a bit – if only on the pitch, because the fans in the stands celebrated their Werkself frenetically and loudly. Alejandro Grimaldo nearly got himself on the scoresheet again with a double chance as the game entered the closing stages, while Sarco also went close to adding a goal with a nice first-time shot in added time (90+1). Soon after, the exhibition was over.

up next: trip to Wolfsburg after break

After a busy few weeks, the last international break of 2025 is now upon us. After that, Bayer 04 are back in action on Saturday 22 November (kick-off 15:30 CET) away to VfL Wolfsburg. The games continue to come thick and fast from then until Christmas in the Bundesliga, DFB Cup and UEFA Champions League.

Match stats:

Bayer 04: Flekken - Andrich, Badé, Tapsoba (Belocian 56') - Arthur (Tillman 46'), Maza, Garcia (Ben Seghir 75'), Grimaldo - Hofmann, Poku (Terrier 46') - Schick (Sarco 56')

Heidenheim: Ramaj - Busch (Beck 82'), Mainka, Siersleben, Föhrenbach - Niehues (Dorsch 33') - Traoré, Schöppner (Kölle 46'), Honsak (Pieringer 67') - Ibrahimovic, Zivzivadze (Gimber 33')

Goals: 1-0 Schick (2'), 2-0 Hofmann (16'), 3-0 Schick (22'), 4-0 Poku (27'), 5-0 Maza (45'+1), 6-0 Maza (53')

Yellow cards: - / Schöppner

Referee: Bastian Dankert (Rostock)

Attendance: 29,257