Werkself review #B04OLY: ‘Defended very well’ and now in top 16 in Europe

Summary: Keep the Greeks away from the goal

While the Werkself have often benefited from their efficiency in front of goal, in this second leg of the play-offs it was their disciplined defensive performance above all that ensured progress at home at the BayArena. Right from the start, the Black and Reds surprised the high-pressing Greeks with a no-frills transition game and could have scored early on through Jonas Hofmann (4’) or Patrik Schick (4’, 9’). But the 0-0 scoreline held at half-time thanks to dogged defending and concentrated play against the ball. After the break, Bayer 04 won more sequences of possession and Alejandro Grimaldo could have scored on 67 minutes but the Spaniard only hit the crossbar. The Kasper Hjulmand team continued to fight for every ball and, apart from a few long-range efforts and half-chances, kept the visitors away from the Bayer 04 goal until the final whistle.

• Match report

Reaction: "We feel good in defence"

"We're very happy to have gone through, even if we're not really happy with the way we played," said coach Kasper Hjulmand at the post-match press conference. The Dane saw his team get off to a good start with several chances on goal, "but Olympiacos came forward a little more from the 25th minute onwards and then we were increasingly kept busy defending." Nevertheless, he was particularly positive about his team's defensive performance: "Of course, we defended very well and kept a clean sheet."

Captain Robert Andrich was also pleased with the defensive performance: : "Of course, it's nice not to concede. We feel good in defence right now." Nevertheless, like his coach, the captain was self-critical: "Everything in front of the box was too little, it wasn't what we wanted." Jonas Hofmann was not really satisfied either. The stalwart criticised the lack of intensity in particular, but declared: "What counts in knockout matches is going through and we're delighted to have done that. In the Round of 16, nobody will be asking how we did it."

• Post-match reaction
• Post-match press conference

What the papers say: "Werkself defend lead without any problems"

The kicker identified a Werkself "in administration mode" who "defended the lead from the first leg without any problems", also because "Olympiacos never really posed any problems for Bayer". The Bild Zeitung rated Bayer 04's progression to the Round of 16 as "well deserved", while the Rheinische Post cited a "solid defensive performance" as the decisive factor. According to the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, the Black and Reds also "fought" their way through to the next round. And the newspaper highlighted the display by Edmond Tapsoba who "held the defence together".

Personnel: Culbreath home debut with the first team

Reaching the Round of 16 was not the only reason for some of the Werkself players to celebrate. Goalkeeper Janis Blaswich clocked up his sixth clean sheet in eleven matches, while Jonas Hofmann made his first appearance in the UCL this season. In addition, substitute Montrell Culbreath made his debut in front of a home crowd and was visibly delighted after the game: "It feels incredible. I've been hoping for a long time to finally be able to play in front of our fans and that came true today."

Stats: A defensive force at the BayArena

After winning the first leg, the Werkself progressed for the 21st time in their 23 appearance in the European knockout rounds. The key to success was once again the solid Black and Red defence, which kept a clean sheet at home for the fifth time in a row. It was also clean sheet number five for Bayer 04 in their tenth Champions League encounter this season - only Tottenham Hotspur have secured more (6). Leverkusen also won 60 per cent of the duels against Olympiacos.

Next up: Round of 16 tickets exclusively for Club members

Tickets for the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 home match go on sale on Tuesday, 3 March at 12:00 CET. Only Bayer 04 Club members will have the chance to buy tickets for this match. Not a member yet? No problem! Become a member now and subscribe to the newsletter to make sure you don't miss any important information on Friday 27 February after the draw for the Round of 16 opponents (Arsenal or Bayern Munich).

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NEWSLETTER

First of all, the Black and Reds continue their Bundesliga campaign. On Saturday afternoon at 15:30 CET, the Werkself will once again take to the pitch at the BayArena to face Mainz 05 on matchday 24. The following Wednesday evening, they play a rearranged fixture from matchday 17 at Hamburger SV. Kick-off at the Volksparkstadion is at 20:30 CET.