
The match report in the EXPRESS mentions one impressive statistic for the Werkself. The 1-0 victory on Saturday was not only “the first win of the season” but also “the sixth successive victory against Mainz.”
The Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung describes the game as follows: “The encounter lacked incident and goalmouth action but was not at all boring. Both teams looked to get on the front foot with neither side having much space to develop their own play.”
Most of the reporters believed Bayer 04 made the better impression – particularly in the first half. “Leverkusen controlled the ball and opposition in the opening stages,” was the analysis in the online kicker report that talked about the “clinches of the Werkself” that Mainz were only able to escape after 20 minutes.
RP Online provided the relevant numbers to a decent performance in the first half: “67 per cent possession, 55 per cent of challenges won, a pass completion rate of 88 per cent plus a greater number of chances” to underline that the “lead for the Werkself at half-time was not undeserved.”
Lucas Alario was on the spot on the half-hour mark. “A corner gave Leverkusen the deserved lead,” reported the WELT am Sonntag. “The cross from Leon Bailey found the head of Lucas Alario who guided the ball into the back of the Mainz net from close range.” The Sunday paper opted for an appropriate headline, ‘Alario uses its head’.
The match report in the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger declared the winning goalscorer to be the Man of the Match. The Argentinian “was the matchwinner with his header. Alario was involved in some good moves in the second half when he was able to control the ball with his back to the goal.” The central striker, “in spite of some anxious moments” in the second half such as the withdrawn dismissal of Edmond Tapsoba, played big part from a Werkself perspective in the “massive relief” at the end of the match.
And the BILD also focuses on Alario - but also a special and tragic aspect from a Bayer 04 perspective: “Alario dedicated the goal to the seriously injured Santiago Arias (28). The Colombian suffered a broken leg and ligament damage in his left ankle a week ago in the World Cup qualifier against Venezuela (3-0). The tabloid quoted Alario with words that probably every Werkself fan would subscribe to: “We won this game for him. Hopefully it will help him on his long road to recovery. We’re all crossing our fingers.”

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.
Show more
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.
Show more
Werkself TV shows the highlights of the 3-0 victory in the friendly match against Rot-Weiss Essen...
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without Kennet Eichhorn for the time being. Following specialist medical examinations, the new signing from Berlin has been diagnosed with a metabolic disorder requiring treatment. This was preceded by excessive physical strain and weight loss, partly as a result of a gastrointestinal condition.
Show more
A successful fourth preseason friendly ahead of the start of the training camp: The Werkself secured a 3-0 victory over Rot-Weiss Essen at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The goals in what was a commanding and dominant performance by Leverkusen from the outset were scored by Ibrahim Maza (8'), Patrik Schick from the penalty spot (23’) and, in the second half, Montrell Culbreath with a header (79’). The team set off for their training camp in Blankenhain in the Weimarer Land region after the game.
Show more