The Rheinische Post headline after the draw in Bavarian Swabia reads "Leverkusen’s status as a top team begins to unravel." Furthermore: "The Werkself have dropped out the top group. In the last ten league matches, Peter Bosz and his team have only picked up nine points – too few over the long term to be able to seriously talk about qualifying for the Champions League."
Kicker also looks at recent results for the Black and Reds. The sports journal reports that Bayer 04 are currently "lagging behind expectations." The performance of goalscorer Edmond Tapsoba earned a mark of 2.5. The magazine rewards the Burkina Faso international with a place in the 'Kicker Team of the Day'.
The equaliser is the focus of attention in the report in the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger ("Tapsoba's punchline"). The newspaper writes: "The Augsburg bench […] were counting down the seconds in added time with the scoreline at 1-0. Substitute Demarai Gray put the ball in the box for a final time – right to the foot of Edmond Tapsoba who levelled at 1-1 on 94 minutes with a placed shot. The game was over from the restart. Bayer 04 Leverkusen avoided an almost certain looking defeat and, at the moment of equalising, released a few happiness hormones."
The match report in the Kölnische Rundschau also primarily looks at the leveller at 1-1 in added time. They say: "The late goal should give them courage for the forthcoming games with the first test on Thursday in the Europa League second leg against Young Boys Bern."
In the first leg at YB (3-4), the Werkself fought back to get on level terms in less than 20 minutes after being 3-0 down at half-time. The fourth goal of the night came in the final minutes. That means Bayer 04 need to win and concede less than three goals in the second leg on Thursday, 25 February (kick-off: 21.00 CET/live on DAZN and Werks11 Radio) to progress to the last 16 in the Europa League.
Bayer 04 have signed left-back Carolin Simon from champions Bayern Munich for the coming season. The 33-year-old former Germany international, who played for Leverkusen from 2013 to 2016, has signed a contract to 30 June 2028.
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Bayer 04 Women have strengthened for the coming season with the signing of Lobke Loone. The 23-year-old Dutch striker joins from Utrecht on a contract until 30 June 2028.
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The Werkself returned from the near one-month break in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga with a convincing victory at home. Roberto Pätzold's side beat SC Freiburg 4-1 on Sunday afternoon, with goals from Katharina Piljic, Estrella Merino Gonzalez, Cornelia Kramer and Carlotta Wamser ensuring a 13th win of the season at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion. The Black and Reds, who are now on 40 points, move up to fourth place at least overnight.
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The fifth consecutive derby win over 1. FC Köln was a hugely significant one in terms of the battle for the UEFA Champions League places. Goalkeeper Janis Blaswich, speaking for the whole team, dedicated the 2-1 victory in the cathedral city to the travelling support: "I'm especially happy about this victory for our fans!" Get the rest of the reaction from those involved and the media, as well as some impressive stats on two-goal hero Patrik Schick and a look at the all-time Bundesliga table, in the Werkself Review.
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