Compared with the 3-0 defeat in the first leg in Munich, head coach Xabi Alonso made four changes to his starting XI. Bayer 04 made an intense start to this all-or-nothing encounter as they pressed high against the visitors from Munich. Given their lead from last week, FC Bayern played cautiously but they did have problems with the tempo of the Werkself attack.
Exequiel Palacios had the first attempt on goal for Bayer 04 on twelve minutes with Harry Kane making the first effort at the other end (15'). The double winners – driven on by the electric atmosphere at the BayArena – then controlled the game while FCB again and again looked to run down the clock. Shortly after a headed effort from Patrik Schick, Mario Hermoso was unable to carry on due to a shoulder injury and he was replaced by Robert Andrich (39'). Schick with another header had the last big chance of the first half but the Czechia international only hit the side netting (44'). Bayer 04 impressed but were unable to convert their superiority into goals.
FC Bayern made the better start to the second half with Kane opening the scoring after a free kick on 52 minutes. Five minutes later, Lukas Hradecky made an impressive save to deny Kingsley Coman with the danger at the other end first coming from Dayot Upamecano almost turning the ball into his own net (63'). Frimpong (65') and Alejandro Grimaldo (66') plus Schick (67') also had efforts on goal in a phase when Leverkusen pressed up front. But the next goal was scored by FC Bayern with Alphonso Davies rounding off a fast breakaway to make it 2-0 (71'). Jamal Musiala also hit the woodwork twice (82', 86') and a shot from Palacios was saved by the FCB keeper Jonas Urbig (90+2'). The final whistle soon followed to seal the exit for Bayer 04 in the Round of 16 of the 2024/25 Champions League campaign.
The Werkself have one league fixture before the final international break of the season: The away game at VfB Stuttgart is on Sunday, 16 March (kick-off: 19:30 CET). After the international break, VfL Bochum visit the BayArena and that is followed by the DFB Pokal semi-final at Arminia Bielefeld.
Match stats:
Bayer 04: Hradecky - Arthur (Boniface 65’), Tah, Hermoso (Andrich 39’), Hincapie - Xhaka, Palacios - Frimpong, Garcia (Adli 65’), Grimaldo (Buendía 84’) - Schick
FC Bayern: Urbig - Laimer (Stanisic 46’), Upamecano, Kim, Davies - Goretzka (Palhinha 84’), Kimmich - Olise (Ito 69’), Musiala, Coman (Gnabry 58’) - Kane (Müller 84’)
Goals: 0-1 Kane (52’), 0-2 Davies (71’)
Booked: Hermoso, Xhaka, Schick, Alonso (head coach) - Laimer, Coman, Kane
Referee: Slavko Vincic (Slovenia)
Attendance: 30,210 (sold out) at the BayArena
With seven points, Mainz 05 are currently joint seventh, level on points with sixth-placed Bayer 04. In today’s head-to-head clash (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself must be particularly wary of the clinical Mainz strike duo. For Leverkusen fans who have left it to the last minute, there are still a few tickets available from the matchday ticket office. Those following the Black and Reds from home, on the other hand, have a choice: RTL is broadcasting the match on free-to-air TV, and Werkself Radio is also offering the expert commentary of former Bayer 04 player Falko Götz. Today’s matchday news.
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Back from the international break: On Saturday 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to Mainz 05. Ahead of the clash at the MEWA ARENA against the side currently sixth in the table, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the team’s work during the extended international break. The Spaniard also commented, when asked, on a number of squad matters, including Ibrahim Maza.
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FSV Mainz 05 went into the international break on the back of an away win at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Currently sixth in the table, the Rheinhessen side – who have been impressive on the road – now aim to continue their good start to the Bundesliga campaign at home when they face the Werkself on Saturday, 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). In terms of squad selection, Urs Fischer once again has more options at his disposal. Up front, the Mainz coach is likely to continue relying on what is currently the league’s most successful strike partnership. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Thomas Eichin has been working for Bayer 04 for six years – as Director of Professional Teams since July 2023 – and has contributed to the successful development of our club in many areas. Today, Friday 9 October, Freiburg-born Eichin is celebrating his 60th birthday. We wish him a very happy birthday.
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Together with his family, friends and close associates, Bayer 04 Leverkusen bid farewell to Peter Hermann. The club’s long-serving assistant manager passed away on 19 September following a serious illness. Today, Thursday 8 October, Bayer 04 held an event attended by around 200 invited guests to commemorate Peter Hermann’s legacy. Representatives from the DFB and the other professional clubs where Hermann worked paid their respects to him at the BayArena.
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