The verdict in the online edition of the Kölner Stadt Anzeiger is: "Once again Bayer 04 have won a game seen as a decisive match for the future of coach Roger Schmidt. This time, the team not only showed desire but also the potential they possess. The two together lead to the following conclusion: There have been problems this season preventing the Werkself from performing at their best with the necessary regularity. However, it will be wrong to see that as the only issue in the relationship between coach and players. Otherwise not everybody would have played as they did on Saturday against a strong Bundesliga side."
The Rheinische Post (online) identifies the changes from the Werkself match away to Hamburg: "In contrast to the poor performance against HSV, Bayer were livelier and more alert and they dominated proceedings…The coach Schmidt made a number of changes to his line-up. Kevin Volland and Admir Mehmedi were replaced up front by the Chicharito, returning after injury, and, surprisingly, Kai Havertz. The captain Lars Bender celebrated his comeback after a long injury lay-off in defensive midfield, starting in place of Julian Baumgartlinger. Tin Jedvaj replaced the injured Jonathan Tah in central defence; Julian Brandt came into the starting eleven for Charles Aránguiz."
The Sonntags Express described how good this victory is for the Werkself: "Club boss Michael Schade was the first to express his congratulations for the most convincing performance for a long time. A warm embrace between the two showed that all the disquiet of recent weeks was forgotten for at least one day. Schmidt can thank, above all, goalkeeper Bernd Leno (24) and striker Chicharito (28) that Bayer were able to celebrate another victory. The 'Pea' found his shooting boots again. The Mexican was responsible for Bayer's dream start." And, commenting on the comeback for Lars Bender, the Express says: "… The captain was back to normal. Bender stood out straight away with his vision and pivotal role and he put in a challenge whenever it was needed. A true leader Bayer have seriously missed for a long time."
Under the headline, ' Leverkusen can still do it', the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung commented: "Crisis? What crisis? Bayer shone against the top team from Frankfurt and won 3-0. … The Werkself beat the third-placed team from Hessen thanks to two goals from Chicharito and a strike from Volland to make it 3-0. … Bayer fought for victory with great commitment and equally great passion and deservedly came out on top against the toughest team in the Bundesliga at the moment."
The online edition of Kicker also recognises the clear dominance of Bayer 04: "In a hard-fought match, a committed Leverkusen side turned the corner after two defeats against a more than capable Eintracht team to run out 3-0 winners. After going behind early on, Frankfurt went close to levelling the scores in the middle of the first half but after the restart power of Bayer saw the match almost settled with a true wonder strike."
To all Bayer 04 fans: The Fanwelt will be closed all day next Monday 30 June. This is due to preparations for the change of kit supplier from Castore to New Balance on Tuesday 1 July.
Show moreThe Norway U23 international Julie Jorde has completed the move from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Brøndby IF. The twelve-time champions of Denmark have signed the midfielder on permanent terms after her loan move from the Bundesliga to Denmark in the winter.
Show moreIt is almost two years since Bayer 04 new signing Abdoulaye Faye first stepped foot into the BayArena as a player for the Swedish club BK Häcken in the opening match in the 2023/24 Europa League campaign. A day before his nineteenth birthday, the central defender did not play in the 4-0 win for the Werkself but it was "an incredible night" for him on 21 September 2023 as he explained in his first interview on bayer04.de. "I watched the players and saw the fans. I liked it." It was also the first European night early on in his career. He only joined the then champions of Sweden in the cold north of Europe from his home in Senegal a few weeks before that special moment. Bayer04.de profiles our new defender.
Show moreWelcome, Abdoulaye Faye. The 20-year-old Senegalese central defender joins Leverkusen from top-flight Swedish club BK Häcken. In his first interview he talks about his move to Bayer 04 and his targets with the Werkself.
Show moreBayer 04 Leverkusen have signed the Senegalese central defender Abdoulaye Faye. The 20-year-old joins the Bundesliga side from Swedish top-flight club BK Häcken. Faye has penned a contract at Leverkusen to 30 June 2030.
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