The Werkself were initially focused at the start of the game and primarily impressed with good periods of possession and seamless moves. After impressive work in the build-up by Moussa Diaby and Robert Andrich, Callum Hudson-Odoi appeared to have broken the deadlock but it was chalked off due to a foul by Andrich earlier in the move. With five minutes to play before half-time, there was a hectic course of events: After another disallowed goal, this time for Porto's Mehdi Taremi, and a missed penalty from Patrik Schick, the two sides went into the break with the score at 0-0. After the restart, it was primarily the Portuguese champions who were on the front foot and they were rewarded with goals from substitutes Zaidu (69') at 1-0 and Galeno (87') at 2-0. HERE is the match report.
After the game, Gerardo Seoane summed up the performance of his team in the first half as "very complete." There was great effort and that led to the creation of qualitatively good situations. The 43-year-old coach did however admit: "But then we missed the opportunity to turn effort into goals."
Jonathan Tah also named efficiency as the crucial factor speaking to Werkself TV: "We started really well and produced an impressive performance and energy for long stretches. We should have got our reward," said the defender before adding: "I didn't feel in the second half that the team had less desire. But if you go all out the whole time and don't get a reward then it gets crazy in the end." But the aim is to take the energy from the first half into the forthcoming games: "There's still everything to play for in the Champions League. And if we succeed in landing a punch up front that I think we’ll be able to win our next league game at home to Schalke 04."
Jonathan Tah and Co. met up with a very familiar face in the match against Porto: Wendell moved on to Portugal from Bayer 04 in the summer of last year. The full-back joined the Werkself from the Brazilian club Grêmio Porto Alegre in the 2014/2015 season and he went on to play 250 games for the Black and Reds. The 29-year-old defender started for the opposition last night and he played for 63 minutes.
The numbers from the game: Porto with eleven shots on goal had two more than the Werkself (9). The Seoane team did have their noses in front in terms of possession with 57%. The same applied to pass completion: 84% of all passes found their target for the Werkself and the Portuguese had a return of 75%. The two teams were neck and neck in the number of challenges at 50% each.
The Süddeutsche Zeitung headline reads "crazy game." The EXPRESS describes the Leverkusen performance as "tough, committed – but beaten once again." The Leverkusener Anzeiger sums up the best chance in the first half as follows: After a polite opening quarter of an hour with the focus on avoiding mistakes, the Bayer support suddenly grew loud under the spectacular roof structure at the Estádio do Dragão. An impressive move by Moussa Diaby and Robert Andrich's precise cross to the far post ended with Callum Hudson-Odoi firing the ball under the bar." The second half was described as follows: "Porto shook off their reticence in the second half, attacked the Leverkusen defenders significantly earlier and provoked mistakes."
The Werkself head home from Porto today and there will be another training session in Leverkusen this afternoon. There will be training sessions over the next two days before Schalke 04 visit the BayArena on Bundesliga matchday nine on Saturday 8 October (kick-off: 15.30 CEST). The newly promoted team lost 3-2 against FC Augsburg last weekend. The Black and Reds play Porto next Wednesday 12 October (kick-off: 21.00 CEST) at home in the return match in the UEFA Champions League.
A simple approach to sport with games, fun and a highlight at the end: Bayer 04 organised a very special training session for 40 participants aged between six and 27 in cooperation with the Football Association of the Middle Rhine (FVM). At the day of action for women and girls with disabilities at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre, many of the participants gained their first experience of football.
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On Saturday, 28 March, the lights will go out again at the BayArena from 20:30 pm to 21:30. As in previous years, Bayer 04 once again take part in the WWF Earth Hour campaign under the motto "We're switching off" as the club wants to set a collective example for more climate and environmental protection together with people, cities and companies around the world.
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Less than a year ago, Kerim Alajbegovic moved from the Bayer 04 U19s to Austrian top-flight club FC Red Bull Salzburg. The forward’s development since then has been impressive. In 36 matches, including in the UEFA Europa League, the 18-year-old has scored 14 goals. In the summer, Alajbegovic, now a Bosnia international, will return to Leverkusen - and thus not only achieve the next milestone still early in his career, but also enrich the Werkself squad with his footballing versatility and determination.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with forward Nathan Tella ahead of schedule. The versatile 26-year-old, who can be deployed as a right winger, false nine or left winger, has penned a new contract to 30 June 2031. Tella joined the Werkself from Championship club Southampton in 2023. His previous contract ran to the summer of 2028.
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Nathan Tella has extended his contract with Bayer 04 to 2031. In an interview with Werkself TV, the 26-year-old talks about fulfilling his dreams, his positive outlook on life and his goals for the future. He answers the questions in English - all except the last one, which he addresses directly to the fans...
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