Kai ‘DETO_OFFICIAL’ Wollin met Bremen’s Fabio ‘FIFABIO97’ Sabbagh in the first clash on PlayStation 4. Both sides were fully focussed and tried to avoid making any mistakes. Wollin played a clever game for the 90 minutes and earned a point in a goalless draw with a direct rival. “The opponent is well-known for his strong defence. I knew I wouldn’t get many chances. I had two or three decent openings but I didn’t finish them well. I didn’t give anything away at the back,” was his assessment.
In the second game on Xbox 1, Fabian ‘B04_DUBZJE’ De Cae played Michael ‘MEGABIT’ Bittner. The match promised to be a thriller. De Cae netted a brace in the first half and secured a deserved 2-1 victory in the end. “I played really well in the first half and was clinical with both chances. The opponent played a pressing game in the second half and threw everything into attack. I allowed myself to get distracted and played too fast but I deserved to win in the end,” said ‘B04_DUBZJE’.
Matchday 12 followed in the evening with a game against Hannover 96 that saw Marc ‘MARC_LDW23’ Landwehr make his singles debut for the #B04eSports team on PlayStation 4. Landwehr made an impressive start to the game with aggressive pressing and he won a lot of challenges. He was well on top in the first half and did not give away any clear-cut chances. After his opening goal, he quickly doubled his lead. The game took an unfortunate turn for the worse in the second half with a penalty conceded and Hannover went on to level. “With the second goal I conceded, I brought the central defender back to prevent the opponent playing a diagonal ball. But it can’t be helped. An unlucky twist,” said Landwehr. “Although I would have preferred to win, I was very happy to play my first singles match on PlayStation.” De Cae faced Fabian ‘H96_DONCHAP’ Deutscher in the second match. He clocked up a 1-0 win on Xbox 1.
The doubles matches against Werder Bremen and Hannover 96 will be played on the New Year due to the coronavirus pandemic. That meant the Bayer 04 eSports trio were able to secure provisional 4-1 wins. The team go into the winter break in the North West division in fifth place on 45 points. Bayer 04 are back in action against Holstein Kiel on matchday 14 on 12 January.
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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