The Welt am Sonntag headline reads: ‘Leverkusen scrape to victory’ and the report states: “Leverkusen made hard work of it, particularly in attack. Lucas Alario converted a penalty on 26 minutes to open the scoring but Heiko Herrlich’s team then failed to extend their lead. Again and again, the Werkself floundered on Pforzheim’s defence, their own inability and the bar.”
The Bild am Sonntag quotes the Bayer 04 coach Heiko Herrlich: “I’m glad we’ve overcome this hurdle. We made it very difficult for ourselves.”
The online edition of the Kölner Stadt Anzeiger describes the incident leading to the injury to Julian Baumgartlinger: “Baumgartlinger carelessly lost possession in the opposition half. In his attempt to stop a counter-attack and make amends for his own mistake, the Austrian got his feet caught up on an absurd surface for a DFB fixture and he twisted his left knee. Baumgartlinger, who was full of ambition for the new campaign after an excellent pre-season, was carried off on a stretcher.”
The football analysis in the Stadt Anzeiger reads: “Bayer 04 found it hard going both on a terrible playing surface and against an aggressive and defensive opponent. Due to more chances and 80 per cent possession, Leverkusen did earn the win.” Goalkeeper Ramazan Özcan was named the Bayer 04 man of the match: “He stopped the Werkself going behind with an impressive save (23’) and prevented an equaliser (90’) and he was also always alert. Luck was on his side when Dominik Salz hit the outside of the post (73’).”
The online assessment of the Rheinische Post reads: “Bayer struggled against the defence of the rank outsiders. The difference in leagues was evident in the opening stages with 95 per cent of the action taking place in the Pforzheim half.”
To all Bayer 04 fans: The Fanwelt will be closed all day next Monday 30 June. This is due to preparations for the change of kit supplier from Castore to New Balance on Tuesday 1 July.
Show moreThe Norway U23 international Julie Jorde has completed the move from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Brøndby IF. The twelve-time champions of Denmark have signed the midfielder on permanent terms after her loan move from the Bundesliga to Denmark in the winter.
Show moreIt is almost two years since Bayer 04 new signing Abdoulaye Faye first stepped foot into the BayArena as a player for the Swedish club BK Häcken in the opening match in the 2023/24 Europa League campaign. A day before his nineteenth birthday, the central defender did not play in the 4-0 win for the Werkself but it was "an incredible night" for him on 21 September 2023 as he explained in his first interview on bayer04.de. "I watched the players and saw the fans. I liked it." It was also the first European night early on in his career. He only joined the then champions of Sweden in the cold north of Europe from his home in Senegal a few weeks before that special moment. Bayer04.de profiles our new defender.
Show moreWelcome, Abdoulaye Faye. The 20-year-old Senegalese central defender joins Leverkusen from top-flight Swedish club BK Häcken. In his first interview he talks about his move to Bayer 04 and his targets with the Werkself.
Show moreBayer 04 Leverkusen have signed the Senegalese central defender Abdoulaye Faye. The 20-year-old joins the Bundesliga side from Swedish top-flight club BK Häcken. Faye has penned a contract at Leverkusen to 30 June 2030.
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