Coach Roger Schmidt fielded the same side that started the final pre-season friendly against Real Sociedad. Calhanoglu and Julian Baumgartlinger were on the bench. In front of a 4,000 crowd, including 800 Bayer 04 fans, the game flowed one way from the kick-off and the Hauenstein players responded by taking a robust approach to challenges from the first minute. They certainly left their mark on Tin Jedvaj and Bellarabi. The first clear chance of the game came on 15 minutes: Benny Henrichs put in a cross for Admir Mehmedi to hit a shot on the turn towards the far corner of the Hauenstein net but the goalkeeper Kevin Urban was just able tip the ball away.
The fifth-tier opposition did a good job and stood up to the dominant Werkself. Leverkusen also lacked the necessary determination, tempo and accuracy going forward during this stage of the game. Bernd Leno was even called into action to keep out a tricky shot from Lukas Hartlieb on 25 minutes. At the other end, Chicharito missed a good chance in a promising position on 31 minutes. Bayer 04 found it tough going in the first 30 minutes despite their superiority and numerous corners. They were also out of luck when Aránguiz hit the bar from a free kick on 36 minutes.
Chicharito cool as ice
The long-awaited opener came just before the half-time break: Kevin Kampl put the ball though to Mehmedi who picked out Chicharito and he made no mistake from six yards out as he lobbed his shot over Urban into the net to make it 1-0 on 39 minutes. The two sides went in to the break with the Werkself maintaining a narrow but deserved lead.
Bayer 04 were very lucky after the restart with the defence looking disorganised. Jesper Brechtel put a shot just wide of the far post in a one-on-one with Leno on 49 minutes. Julian Baumgartlinger replaced Mehmedi on the hour mark, Kevin Kampl moved up to take the position of the Swiss striker. The lively Henrichs had a chance to make it 2-0 on 65 minutes but the Hauenstein keeper was able to make the save after a smart one-two with Aránguiz.
Bellarabi doubles lead
A corner from Aránguiz lead to the next goal: Chicharito squared the ball and Bellarabi had no problem scoring the second goal for the Werkself on 67 minutes. Substitute Calhanoglu hit the post from a free kick on 79 minutes. And suddenly the underdogs came back into the game: A header from Srzentic from a free kick was deflected by Baumgartlinger past the helpless Leno to make it 2-1 with nine minutes to play. It was a tight finish with Jedvaj clearing off the line on 89 minutes. The tie ended with a deserved if also less than impressive 2-1 win for the Werkself.
The opener in the DFB Cup is followed next weekend by the first Bundesliga outing of the new season for the Werkself – with the top match against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday 27 August at 18.30 CET.
Match stats:
SC Hauenstein: Urban – Srzentic, Hartlieb, Klück, Brechtel (Albrecht 66’), Bormeth, Schwehm, Abele, Kupper, Nishinaka (Schacker 72’), Ando (Haag 66’)
Bayer 04: Leno – Jedvaj, Tah, Toprak, Henrichs – Kampl, Aránguiz – Bellarabi (Calhanoglu 74’), Mehmedi (Baumgartlinger 59’) – Volland, Chicharito (Kruse 88’)
Goals: 0-1 Chicharito (39’), 0-2 Bellarabi (67’), 1-2 Srzentic (81’)
Referee: Badstübner (Windsbach)
Booked: Ando, Brechtel, Klück, Haag – Chicharito, Jedvaj
Attendance: 4,000
A thrilling final but with no reward: the Bayer 04 U19s lost 5-4 to 1. FC Köln in the final for the German championship. Sergi Runge's side went into a commanding lead through goals by Artem Stepanov and Jeremiah Mensah, but the visitors battled back and turned it into a 4-2 lead before half-time. Leverkusen then showed their own comeback qualities in the second period, with Francis Onyeka and Kerim Alajbegovic restoring partiy, but Luis Stapelmann snatched the winner for Köln late on.
Show moreThey had their hands full in the VAR centre in Cologne: eight goals were scored at the MEWA Arena on Saturday afternoon, but only four of them were allowed in the end as the Werkself and 1. FSV Mainz 05 closed the season with a 2-2 draw. It means Bayer 04 end the 2024/25 campaign as runners-up with 69 points, representing the fourth-best season in the club's history. What's more, the Werkself are now unbeaten away from home in two whole Bundesliga seasons, with their last away defeat coming exactly two years ago on Matchday 34 of the 2022/23 season at VfL Bochum. The Black-and-Reds can continue the record run next season - albeit without Alonso and Tah. Read what else the eventful final game for the head coach and the defensive leader had to offer in the Werkself Review.
Show moreWerkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 2-2 draw at Mainz 05 on the 34th matchday of the Bundesliga 2024/25...
Show moreBayer 04’s final game of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season saw VAR drama and produced a new record for away results with a 2-2 draw in Mainz. The hosts had several goals ruled out before Paul Nebel put them ahead. Patrik Schick’s brace then turned things around in the second half before Jonathan Burkardt’s penalty levelled the game again. It means Leverkusen have now gone 34 away games without defeat in the Bundesliga, which no team has ever done before.
Show moreThe Werkself bring down the curtain on their 2024/25 Bundesliga campaign with a game away at Mainz on Saturday (kick-off: 3.30pm CEST). Here’s all you need to know ahead of the Matchday 34 meeting at the MEWA Arena.
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