What the papers say: ‘Bayer 04 lay down a marker’

Bayer 04 secured a spectacular home win in the 3-1 victory over the record champions Bayern Munich. Here is what the papers say:

The Sunday online subscription edition of the Kölner Stadt Anzeiger assesses the win for the Werkself as follows: “The victory for the Werkself ends a run of wins for the record champions. Bayer 04 move closer to the Europa League positions with a second win in succession. Even qualification for the Champions League appears to be feasible again. Coach Peter Bosz has also helped his former club Borussia Dortmund in the title race.” Mitchell Weiser was named Man of the Match: “The summer signing from Berlin, with a Munich past, had not previously featured in the plans of coach Peter Bosz - the Dutchman has a set starting eleven. And Lars Bender is the right back. But the captain missed out due to a thigh injury. Weiser took his chance with a crucial part in the goal to make it 2-1 and on 73 minutes he cleared a shot from Lewandowski off the line.”

The Sonntags Express reports: “The Leverkusen fans were singing in the stands at the end of the game: ‘Oh, how beautiful it is!’ No wonder: The Werkself laid down a marker with the 3-1 win against Munich – to the evident pleasure of the Bayer coach Peter Bosz (55) after his game plan worked out. ‘It’s always difficult if you go behind against Bayern. But the team believed in themselves,' said a happy Bayer sporting managing director Rudi Völler. The poor run against Leverkusen continues for Bayern coach Niko Kovac: The Croat has never won at Bayer’s arena as a coach.”

Bild am Sonntag focuses its analysis on the Bayern performances in the current campaign: “The last time Bayern conceded 23 goals from 20 games was eight years ago under Louis van Gaal. The gap to Dortmund is now seven points. Also because Leverkusen’s Leon Bailey (21) fooled Sven Ulreich (30) with a free kick to level at 1-1 (53’). The reserve keeper came in for Manuel Neuer, who was sidelined with an injured thumb, and he made a slight movement to the side of the wall but had no chance of reaching the ball. Ulreich: ‘It was a really, really well-hit free kick. Bailey often shoots over the wall, we analysed that and watched it a lot in the week.’ Bailey to the BamS: ‘I fooled Sven. I’ve scored against him once in the other corner of the net. That’s why I chose the other side this time.”

The online edition of the Rheinische Post looks at the injury to Kai Havertz: “Despite all the joy, the potential long-term absence of Havertz is a cause for concern. The young star was brought down by Joshua Kimmich during a quick counter-attack and he tried to carry on for a few minutes but was unable to continue. It remains to be seen how long the key performer of recent months will be sidelined - the only setback in an otherwise successful evening according to Völler.”

The Munich-based newspaper tz attributes the Leverkusen win to an improved performance in the second half: “At the start of the second half, Kevin Volland (46’) failed to connect with a cross from Bailey and thereby missed the first chance for the hosts. Bayer upped the pressure after that and were completely unrecognisable from the first half. From the final Munich attack, Alario converted an assist from Germany international Julian Brandt.”