Before the game, Patrik Schick was in a probable starting eleven both on paper and on screen. The fact that Werkself coach Peter Bosz did not play the new signing from the start is seen by kicker as a "clever decision." At the end of the day, the striker had only trained "since last Wednesday in Leverkusen after spending ten days at home in self-isolation without any sporting activity."
According to the EXPRESS, the Werkself match at VfL went through a warm-up phase. "The match in front of the 500 permitted spectators at the Wolfsburg Arena needed time to get going," reports the journal. Even though Bayer 04 "endeavoured to take control of the game from start", there was "an absence of penetration in attack."
The Süddeutsche Zeitung highlights the performance of Florian Wirtz, "who since the start of June has been the youngest goalscorer in the history of the Bundesliga and on 25 minutes he had the first chance of the game after a one-two with Moussa Diaby." Overall, the 17-year-old produced a "notable" performance.
That assessment concurs with the view of the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger in its individual analysis. "He was involved whenever something surprising happened," praised the newspaper. For a long time, the biggest threat came from the youngest and slightest-built member of the Bayer team."
Bayer 04 had their best chances in the second half. "It could have ended in a Bayer victory," reports the BILD. "Diaby was denied by the VfL keeper Casteels (64'). And the substitute (…) new signing Schick (…) put a header over the bar (83')."
The fact the game ended in a goalless draw was not seen by the Rheinische Post as dropped points for the Werkself. "Even if the result doesn't sound like it," the RP begins their match report, "the 0-0 draw at Wolfsburg could be the first important point for Bayer Leverkusen in the race for the Champions League positions."
Bosnia U19 international Kerim Alajbegovic is moving from Bayer 04 Leverkusen's youth set-up to Red Bull Salzburg. The talented attacking midfielder has signed a long-term contract with the Austrian club. At the same time, the works club secured a buy-back option for the 17-year-old, who was one of the mainstays of the Leverkusen U19s.
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