Back
17.03.2023Europa League

Werkself review #B04FTC: Masterful progress to the quarter-finals

The Werkself produced a convincing performance in the second leg of the Europa League Round of 16 on Thursday night as they secured a 2-0 win against the Hungarian record champions and record cup winners Ferencváros. They are now deservedly in the quarter-finals of the competition. The fact the Werkself did not have any doubts during the game was both down to the early goal from Moussa Diaby (3') as well as the newly gained confidence and assurance. The Werkself review...
crop_20230316_JS_FTC_B04_2746.jpg

SUMMARY: EARLY GOAL BRINGS SECURITY

The Werkself played on an impressive stage in front of 50,675 spectators at the Puskas Arena, Hungary's national stadium: "The visitors made a perfect start to the game with the opening goal from Moussa Diaby coming just three minutes after the kick-off. Bayer 04 again and again pressed for a second goal and gave the hosts hardly any chances either in attack or defence thanks to a solid and controlled display. The best chances for the Black and Reds fell to Jeremie Frimpong and Edmond Tapsoba (33'). The team under head coach Xabi Alonso created lots of chances after the restart but were frustrated by their own ability to convert – as with the clear-cut chances for Mitchel Bakker (50'), Frimpong's offside goal (52') and the Diaby shot against the outside of the post (57'). Substitute Amine Adli scored on 81 minutes shortly after coming on for a deserved and long awaited scoreline of 2-0. The match report.

crop_20230316_JS_FTC_B04_2166.jpg

REACTION: "MATURE PEFORMANCE"

The joy was also evident in interview as captain Lukas Hradecky summed up the game as follows: "The opponents had their chances in the first half but we defended well. It was a mature performance and we are through." Nevertheless, the keeper also kept his feet on the ground and was humble. The Finn said in view of the forthcoming match against the champions Bayern Munich: "Now we've got a real test on Sunday. We want to take the momentum from the last games and produce a good performance on Sunday."

And defender Jonathan Tah was also happy in giving his assessment: "We were into the game in the first ten minutes and that was good. That shows we were fully on the case mentally. It got quieter in the stadium. The ten minutes after that were okay but we gave Ferencváros too many chances. In the second half we deservedly sealed the win near the end."

PERSONNEL: BIG SQUAD, IMPRESSIVE TEAM DISPLAY

The Werkself played their usual 3-4-1-2 formation in the game at the Puskas Arena. Alonso rotated again with three changes to his starting eleven compared with the 3-2 win at Werder Bremen: Edmond Tapsoba came into the defence in place of Odilon Kossounou, Florian Wirtz replaced Amine Adli, and the Spanish coach opted for Sardar Azmoun up front in place of Adam Hlozek. Nevertheless, all the players named plus Timothy Fosu-Mensah (81’) and Kerem Demirbay (86’) were brought off the bench during the game and thereby also contributed to the win and to a solid team performance. Charles Aránguiz (calf problem) and Andrey Lunev (back injury) were not in the squad. In addition, Nadiem Amiri (muscular problems), Karim Bellarabi (illness) and Patrik Schick (groin) were sidelined.


crop_20230316_JS_FTC_B04_1489.jpg

STATS: SIX GAMES UNBEATEN

The dominance of the Alonso team is also reflected in the match stats: With 17 shots on goal, the Werkself had almost twice as many as Ferencváros who had nine attempts on Hradecky's goal. Leverkusen had their noses in front in terms of possession with 55%. The same applied to the pass completion rate, which was 87% for the visitors (Ferencváros: 85%). Only in terms of challenges did the Black and Reds have the lower rate at 44%.

Good news: With yesterday's win in the second leg of the Round of 16 (2-0) plus the victories against Hertha Berlin (4-1) and Werder Bremen (3-2), the Werkself have now clocked up their fourth win in succession across all competitions and are also unbeaten in six games.

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY: "STROLLS INTO THE QUARTER-FINALS"

The performance of the Alonso team was also recognised by the media. For example, the Rheinische Post headline reads, "Diaby and Adli help Bayer celebrate in Budapest" before adding: "The course of the game was almost ideal for the Rhinelanders." And the Express also praises Diaby's performance: "OMG-lightning fast-Diaby!" Bayer through after three minutes." The Leverkusener Anzeiger was also impressed as they wrote "A stroll in Budapest: Bayer easily reach the quarter-finals with a 2-0 win in Hungary." The paper also had a positive assessment of Diaby: "It was always dangerous when he was involved. He was the best Leverkusen player." The Bild Zeitung sums up the victory euphorically as follows: "Alonso strolls into the quarter-finals! Job done! Leverkusen and Xabi Alonso did not show any weakness in the second leg at Ferencváros and convincingly won in Hungary 2-0 as they did in the home game

crop_20230316_JS_FTC_B04_2678.jpg

OUTLOOK: RECORD CHAMPIONS VISIT THE BAYARENA

Lukas Hradecky and Co. do not have much time to rest: Following this morning's press conference, the flight from Budapest back home takes off in the afternoon. The Werkself have another training session tomorrow (Saturday). Then, on Sunday 19 March, the current league leaders and Xabi Alonso's former club visit the BayArena: Leverkusen entertain Bayern Munich at the BayArena on Bundesliga matchday 25. The kick-off in front of a full house is at 17.30 CET.

Related News

Edmond Tapsoba
Bayer 04 - 23.08.2025

Werkself Magazine – Edmond Tapsoba interview: “It's the start of a new phase”

Edmond Tapsoba is one of the pillars of the Bayer 04 team. The defender is now in his seventh season with the Werkself and taking on a new role as a leader on and off the pitch. Talking to Werkself Magazine, the 26-year-old Burkina Faso international explains the increased demands placed on his position within the team, his role as a “big brother” and why the squad’s overhaul is an opportunity for him and the team.

Show more
Bayer 04-Fans in der BayArena
Bayer 04 - 22.08.2025

Up for Bayer 04: Continuing high demand for tickets & second highest ever start to jersey sales

The Werkself have completed an intensive preseason and made a successful start to the 2025/26 campaign in the DFB Pokal as the new Bundesliga season finally starts this week. And, as in the cup tie in Großaspach (4-0), head coach Erik ten Hag's team can continue to look forward to strong support from the Bayer 04 fans at the BayArena. There is continuing high demand for tickets both for match tickets and season cards. And other stats from the past weeks and months show: the fans are up for Bayer 04!

Show more
Loïc Badé
Bayer 04 - 21.08.2025

French central defender Badé joins Bayer 04 from Sevilla

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed the French central defender Loïc Badé. The France international joins the Werkself from top-flight Spanish club FC Sevilla. Badé has signed a contract at Leverkusen to 30 June 2030. The 25-year-old will wear the number 5 jersey in the team led by head coach Erik ten Hag.

Show more
Loïc Badé
Bayer 04 - 21.08.2025

Uncompromising defender who can read the game: Loïc Badé profile

Bienvenue à Leverkusen, Loïc Badé! Bayer 04 have signed the 25-year-old defender from FC Sevilla. The France international has signed a contract at Leverkusen to 2030 and he will wear the number 5 jersey. Bayer04.de profiles the 1.91 metre new signing who has experience in England and France as well as Spain.

Show more