The Werkself began their sixth Champions League game of the season in a disciplined and focussed manner, allowing the Magpies very little space and proved to be highly dangerous on the counter-attack. The Black and Reds took the lead after 13 minutes thanks to the goal scored when a header from Robert Andrich rebounded off Bruno Guimaraes and into the Newcastle net. Even after this goal, the visitors remained largely devoid of ideas in attack and Leverkusen remained in control - the half-time lead could have been bigger with a little more luck in front of goal. The equaliser by Newcastle's Anthony Gordon from the penalty spot then turned the game on its head (51'). The visitors suddenly applied more pressure and were able to take the lead through Lewis Miley (69') despite the efforts of a battling Werkself defence. However, there was no sign of the Bundesliga side giving up: Backed by vociferous support from the fans at the sold-out BayArena, Bayer 04 came back into the game, pinned the English side back in their own penalty area in the closing stages and finally secured a deserved equaliser through Alejandro Grimaldo (88’).
"The little things are crucial in the Champions League," said an exhausted Aleix Garcia and explained: "Our first half was very strong, but in the second half we didn't handle the ball so well and allowed Newcastle to dominate." However, the Spaniard also said: "After the two goals we conceded, the team showed the perfect reaction."
"We fought until the end and scored the important equaliser," said Grimaldo, who was also happy to have helped the team with his goal: "That's the most important thing and of course I want to do that every week." Assistant coach Rogier Meijer, who deputised for Kasper Hjulmand for personal reasons, was happy with his team's performance after what was expected to be a difficult match: "The team showed character today after conceding goals and fought back to equalise in the end."
"We deserved the draw in the end," agreed captain Andrich, who put the reason for minor mistakes in the game down to diminishing strength. Nevertheless, the skipper was delighted with the point and is fully motivated for the home game against FC Köln: "We'll make the most of the next few days and give our all on Saturday at 6.30 pm."
"Leverkusen secure last-minute point against Newcastle", is the headline in the Rheinische Post, while kicker writes: "Grimaldo's flash of inspiration secures a draw". "Bayer believe right to the end", meanwhile Bild Zeitung praised the Werkself's morale and summarised: "Leverkusen battle for a 2-2 draw." According to the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, Bayer 04 also discovered "the last ounces of strength" to level in the final minutes of the game.
It was Spain international Grimaldo's third UCL goal of the season - more than in any previous campaign. The 30-year-old is not only Leverkusen's top scorer in this competition, but has also netted more times in two Champions League campaigns with five goals than he did in six seasons at Benfica (4). Ibrahim Maza meanwhile, collected his second assist in the Champions League and Garcia was once again the midfield maestro. He delivered every single one of his 50 plus passes to his team-mates well into the second half.
The first point in the third meeting with Newcastle United is also the Werkself's fourth unbeaten game in the last five matches against English teams. In addition, the Black and Reds were once again on target: Leverkusen have scored in each of their six UCL matches this season, which is the team's longest such run in the competition since September 2017.
The match stats show how much Bayer 04 deserved the late draw: In terms of possession and duels (both 51 per cent), the hosts had the edge over the English side, and they also had more shots on goal (17) and corners (9).
There are two more fixtures before the winter break: The Werkself host FC Köln on Saturday, 13 December at 18:30 CET, before the last clash before Christmas a week later on Saturday, 20 December (kick-off: 18:30 CET) at second-placed RB Leipzig.
Exciting experiences and exclusive insights into the Werkself and the BayArena awaited the young footballers from the BA04 Football Academy Guangzhou in China during their visit to the Rhineland this week. As well as taking part in a joint training session with the Bayer 04 Football Academy, the youngsters marvelled at the Bundesliga club’s stadium during a guided tour. The highlight of the visit was a private press conference with former Bayer 04 striker Stefan Kießling, during which he shared tips from his own career with the young players. On Saturday afternoon, 10 October, the group will round off their visit by supporting the Werkself in the away match in Mainz.
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Fun, games and promising talent: At the fourth Bayer 04 Junior Girls’ Talent Day at the Kurtekotten training centre, 90 football-mad girls had the chance to put themselves forward for the Werkself youth teams. During a 90-minute training session, children born between 2011 and 2019 had the chance to demonstrate their skills.
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Despite the international break, numerous Werkself fans turned up at the BayArena on Saturday 3 October. The occasion: Bayer 04, together with Bayer Vital and main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer, organised a Health Day. In the stadium’s Premium Lounge, guests listened to fascinating talks on the subject of cancer, featuring, amongst others, Bayer 04 record appearance holder Rüdiger Vollborn and former Werkself player Hans Sarpei. Afterwards, young and old alike enjoyed interactive stations such as a grip strength test and eye pupil test.
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In issue #56 of Werkself Magazine, Afonso Moreira offers some interesting insights into his home country, Portugal, as part of the ‘Sag mal’ (Tell me) feature. Among other things, the 21-year-old talks about his favourite places in the country on the Iberian Peninsula, the local cuisine and music, as well as heroes and historical figures beyond the world of football. ‘Sag mal’ with Afonso Moreira!
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