The top match between last season's fifth- and third-placed teams was "a clash full of intensity and passion," as the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger put it. Both teams " showed after the short preseason that they were in outstanding physical condition and could have won the game. To that extent, the 1-1 draw is a logical and justified result." In contrast to the 0-0 draw at Wolfsburg, the team under head coach Peter Bosz had "taken a step forward in all areas."
The journal picked out Charles Aránguiz as the man of the match and assessed the performance of the Chilean with a high mark of 1.5. The explanation: "The new captain, who rarely speaks, just communicated with his teammates through his performance. With twelve challenges won he prevented a dozen counter-attacks from Leipzig in dangerous situations and was to a large part responsible for Bayer 04 being able to leave the ropes and take the fight to imposing Leipzig side."
The Bild also praises both teams and comes to the following conclusion: "Great game in Leverkusen! The 1-1 draw between Leverkusen and Leipzig may not have produced a winner but there was plenty of goalmouth action – and two fantastic strikes." Commenting on the 20th minute equaliser from Kerem Demirbay: "Demirbay received the ball and unleashed a shot with an incredible trajectory that hit the underside of the bar and went into the net."
The Express saw "Wonder goals and football at the highest level" in a "real top match." The report continues: "The team under coach Peter Bosz produced an impressive performance and were closer to the three points than the visitors from Saxony."
The Rheinische Post describes the first Bundesliga action of the new season at the BayArena as a "classy opening phase between two attacking teams". The 1-1 scoreline was a "draw that nobody could really complain about."
The kicker takes a similar approach to summing up the game: "In an entertaining game full of variety, Leverkusen and Leipzig shared a deserved 1-1 draw. Two unmissable goals crowned a first half that saw RB start strongly and Bayer increasingly dominate later on. There was also end-to-end action in the second half – with chances for victory on both sides."
The Werkself's training camp in Weimarer Land all in one place: in our daily blog you'll find all the insights and updates from the day. The programme on day one (Sunday 2 August) includes a media round with managing director sport Simon Rolfes, free time for the team after the friendly against Rot-Weiss Essen and before an intensive week of training begins, as well as a coffee get-together where CEO Fernando Carro and Rolfes met around 100 fans in the afternoon.
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This fan meeting got off to a rather unexpected start. On Sunday afternoon, the Bayer 04 managing directors had just welcomed the fans present at the team hotel for the traditional get-together at the training camp when Fernando Carro’s phone rang. The CEO, glancing towards managing director sport Simon Rolfes with a smile, said: “We’ll just have to answer that quickly.” When asked by the fans what the call was actually about, the pair left it open with a wink. Instead, Carro and Rolfes then spent over an hour happily answering the fans’ many other questions.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed Kerim Alajbegovic’s transfer to Italian record champions Juventus. The club brought the 18-year-old attacking player back to Leverkusen this summer via a buy-back option, following a season at Red Bull Salzburg. Until his move to Austria, the Bosnia international had been playing for Bayer 04’s Under-19s.
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A warm welcome to the Weimarer Land, Bayer 04! The Werkself moved into their accommodation for this year’s training camp on Saturday evening. In Blankenhain, Thuringia, head coach Carles Martínez’s team have a programme of gruelling training sessions – several of which will be open to fans – and team-building activities lined up for the next six days. We’ll be following the Werkself up close and providing you with exclusive insights, quotes, photos and videos from the training camp.
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With 22 days to go until the start of the Bundesliga campaign, the Bayer 04 Women’s team have gained a fresh boost of confidence. In a friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk on Saturday afternoon, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team secured a 1–0 win. Lobke Loonen (20’) scored the winner for the Black and Reds at the Kurtekotten training centre.
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