What the papers say: 'Art of football’ and 'precision work'

"Ahead of the derby: Bayer storm to the top," is the headline in the EXPRESS. The report reads: "Bayer Leverkusen visit Cologne on Wednesday as league leaders. The Werkself beat TSG Hoffenheim 4-1 yesterday to go top of the Bundesliga for the first time in six years and 92 days."

The WAZ captured a little of the atmosphere after the final whistle: "Leverkusen's coach Peter Bosz high-fived his players beaming with joy as the league table was shown on the stadium screen at the BayArena: Led by two-goal Leon Bailey, the Werkself stormed back to the top of the Bundesliga after 2,284 days."

Goal from set piece: A case of "precision work"

The early wonder goal from the Jamaican is described in the Kölnische Rundschau as follows: "Leon Bailey played a quick pass to Nadiem Amiri, rounded his teammate, received the ball, ran a few metres and curled the ball with a fantastic swerve into the top left corner."

BILD identifies the "father" of this strike and describes the opener as "a wonder goal and precision work a la Leverkusen. After the goal, the players ran to assistant coach Rob Maas (50). He has been responsible for set pieces since the start of the season. And with success: seven goals from set plays up to now."

"Outstanding switching points" in midfield

The second wonderful goal of the night, from Florian Wirtz to make it 3-1, is rated by the Rheinische Post as "the art of football." The description of the goal is enough to excite many a football fan: "But then Florian Wirtz, who received a back-heel pass from Schick in the penalty area that stuck to his foot, stroked the ball with the sole of his boot and chipped it over Baumann to make it 3-1."

But there wasn't just praise for the delicate strike but also for the well-oiled system played by the Werkself. "Hoffenheim wanted, as befits the nature of their game, to also shine on the pitch," reports the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger. "But as Leverkusen's defence cut out nearly every ball and fed the outstanding switching points of Baumgartlinger, Florian Wirtz and Amiri for quick counter-attacks, Bayer's wingers again and again had space to play on the break."

Bayer 04 have only started better twice

The kicker therefore sees Bayer 04 as "the team of the moment" and underlines this assessment with an interesting fact: "The Werkself, as yet unbeaten in the Bundesliga, have their third best record in their time in the Bundesliga with 25 points after 11 matchdays." As revealed in an information box, Bayer 04 have only picked up more points after eleven games in 2003/04 (26) and in 2001/02 (27).