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9.04.2017Bundesliga

What the papers say: 'A clear penalty'

The media credit the Werkself with a performance on equal terms with RB Leipzig in the 1-0 defeat. The papers also discuss the penalty claim for Bayer 04.
© Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fussball GmbH
The Kölner Stadt Anzeiger (online) comes to the following conclusion under the headline "Impressive Leverkusen just lose out to RB Leipzig": "Bayer 04 Leverkusen lost 1-0 at RB Leipzig – and were extremely unlucky, after a decent performance for large parts of the game, to concede a goal in the third minute of added time." The key moment of the game was the goal for Leipzig, "but it could have been the incident on 33 minutes when the Leipzig player Stefan Ilsanker played the ball with his lower arm in his own penalty area in a challenge with Brandt – evident nearly every witness in the stadium – but the referee Robert Kampka did not award a penalty. The sheer frustration of the Werkself pros is understandable after this defeat. They certainly deserved to gain a point from this match."
And the Bild declares: "Leipzig were lucky on 33 minutes when a ball from Brandt hit Ilsanker on the arm in the penalty area. The ref Dr Kampka had to award a penalty. But there was no whistle. Leverkusen came out fighting in the second half with the first chance falling to Havertz on 47 minutes. The team coached by Tayfun Korkut (43) put in a great effort as Leipzig tired somewhat. At the end of the day, it was Leipzig who celebrated: With a last-minute strike, RB beat the visitors from Leverkusen 1-0. Clearly superior in the first half, the hosts were unable to put the ball in the Werkself net. After the break the visitors were on the front foot and the game developed into an evenly matched affair without decent chances for either side."
The online edition of the Rheinische Post (online) reports: "Not many people rated the chances for the Werkself ahead of the game against the impressive newcomers – and that despite Leverkusen travelling to Leipzig as the fifth best away team in the league. The visitors from the Rhine needed 20 minutes to get a foothold in the game. However, Leipzig still posed the greater threat. There was much excitement following an alleged handball by Leipzig midfielder Stephan Ilsanker in the hosts' penalty box. Julian Brandt hit the Austrian on the arm from close range with his cross. In spite of angry protests from Leverkusen the referee Robert Kampka waved play on. TV expert Marcus Merk gave his opinion on Sky: 'A clear penalty. His hand moves towards the ball.'"
The Express writes: "Last-minute shocker for Bayer Leverkusen! Leipzig’s Danish substitute shakes Bayer in added time. With the national coach Jogi Löw (56) looking on, a courageous and battling Werkself lost 1-0 to the Champions League candidates. After the Korkut team competed with the Red Balls on equal terms for 93 minutes, Yussuf Poulsen (22) caught Leverkusen with a lucky punch. 'This match reflects our whole season,' said a disappointed Julian Baumgartlinger (29) after the late strike. And the Austrian was right. The Werkself didn't have to lose this match – and perhaps shouldn't have. One particular disappointment: Bayer could have taken the lead if the referee Dr Kampka had pointed to the spot on 33 minutes. A ball from Julian Brandt hit Leipzig's Ilsanker on the arm in the penalty area from close range. 'For me it was a clear penalty,' said TV referee Dr Markus Merk (55). But there was no whistle to the annoyance of Bayer."
The Kicker (online) came to the following conclusion: "The newcomers were straight out of the blocks but the Werkself forced their way into the game and pressed Leipzig back after the restart. If Leipzig were the better team in the first 45 minutes, then the spectators saw a balanced encounter from that point. It went end to end: Bailey tested Gulasci with a powerful shot (67') before an unmarked Werner had the chance to make it 1-0 in a counter-attack a minute later but he missed the target. It looked like it was heading for a draw before Poulsen struck."

 

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