After the two teams sussed each other out in the opening stages, the clash with the Belgian side took off in the middle of the first half – and mainly in favour of the Werkself as they targeted the Club Brugge goal with efforts from Moussa Diaby and Patrik Schick. However, the hosts proved to be efficient and scored just before half-time (42'). Head coach Gerardo Seoane made a number of substitutions in the second half to provide a boost to the attack that had failed to complete offensive moves. The Werkself had two goals chalked off due to offside decisions with the scoreline at the end remaining at 1-0 in favour of Club Brugge. HERE is the match report.
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For Jonathan Tah it was mainly in the first half that the team needed to have worked harder: "We weren't decisive enough in the first half. Brugge did much better at the start and they scored as well. We should have been more aggressive and intense from the start," declared the central defender. The 26-year-old did find praise speaking to Werkself TV for the second half performance where the team applied themselves and created more chances.
As with the defender Tah, coach Gerardo Seoane also expressed his disappointment at the post-match press conference: "We were left empty-handed again. We didn't give much away but we were severely punished. Luck wasn't on our side today."
In spite of the unlucky defeat, several Werkself players had reason to celebrate against the Belgian side: debuts in Europe's premier club competition – the UEFA Champions League. The two full-backs Piero Hincapie and Jeremie Frimpong plus midfielders Robert Andrich und Exequiel Palacios made their first appearances in the Champions League. Loanee signing from Chelsea Callum Hudson-Odoi did have 17 appearances and was a Champions League winner before the match in West Flanders but it was his Champions League debut for the Black and Reds.
Majority of possession (52.2%), more challenges won (55%), significantly more shots on goal (14) plus the better pass completion rate (82.8%) - the Werkself did come out on top in terms of statistics but the scoreboard showed a 1-0 defeat in the end. The Black and Reds were unlucky not to get a result to take home to Leverkusen.
The main issue in all print and online media after the 1-0 defeat against Club Brugge was the continuing negative trend that has seen the Werkself lose six of the first seven games in the 2022/23 season. According to the media, the problems are due in part to the frequent absence of rewards in spite of a lot of good chances. So, kicker talks about a game that was "unnecessarily screwed up" and the Leverkusener Anzeiger talks about "wasted" chances.
The Werkself have a busy run of fixtures ahead of the international break at the end of September. The Seoane team first travel to the capital on matchday six in the current 2022/23 Bundesliga season: The Black and Reds are away to Hertha Berlin on Saturday 10 September (kick-off: 15.30 CEST). That is followed by the Champions League fixture against Atlético Madrid: The match against the Rojiblancos is at the BayArena on Tuesday 13 September (kick-off: 21.00 CEST). Finally, the Werkself entertain promoted club Werder Bremen on matchday seven. The game kicks off at 15.30 CEST on Saturday 17 September.
Today sees Bayer 04 go head-to-head with their next direct rivals in the race for Champions League qualification (kick-off 15:30 CEST). Opponents Stuttgart are currently fifth in the table, level on points with the Werkself but one place below them due to a three-goal inferior goal difference. The Black and Reds' record at Bad Cannstatt tells a clearer story: they've not lost at VfB for over 16 years. One important factor in securing what would be three crucial points away from home is Leverkusen's strength on the counter-attack. Whilst Stuttgart are also extremely dangerous going forward, they will be without their captain. Today’s matchday news.
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Another showdown in the race for the Champions League places takes place in Swabia: on Saturday 9 May (kick-off 15:30 CEST), the Werkself visit VfB Stuttgart, who are only behind on goal difference. In his pre-match press conference, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about confidence, excitement and mentality.
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Reinforcement in attack: Bayer 04 Leverkusen have secured the transfer of striker Maja Sternad from Bundesliga rivals SV Werder Bremen. The 22-year-old has signed a contract until 30 June 2028.
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It's a thrilling situation: as the season draws to a close, Stuttgart and Bayer 04 are heading into the home stretch almost neck and neck. After 32 games, with 17 wins, seven draws and eight defeats each, both teams are on 58 points. Even in terms of goals scored, VfB and the Werkself are level on 66. The Black and Reds have conceded just three fewer goals (43) than their rivals (46), which is why they sit one place behind fourth-placed Leverkusen. This Saturday, 9 May (kick-off: 15.30 CEST), the two teams go head to head at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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