Werkself review #BKHB04: Debuts and great moments

Summary: Clinical strikers, solid defence

Xabi Alonso made eight changes to his team from the weekend’s win in Bremen. Snow the previous day had made conditions difficult, but Boniface took the first opportunity of the evening by heading in Josip Stanisic’s cross after 14 minutes. It was in fact the only Leverkusen attempt of the first half, while the Swedish cup winners had a triple chance midway through the half, but Matej Kovar came to the rescue each time. Play resumed with Noah Mbamba replacing goalscorer Boniface. Schick was then introduced after the hour mark for his return to action, with the Czech striker crowning his comeback with his first goal of the season to make it 2-0 after 74 minutes. You can read more about the game in our match report.

Reaction: “Job done, goal achieved”

Head coach Alonso said after the game: “I’m pleased. We did our job and won the group. It wasn’t easy in the conditions and our play wasn’t particularly spectacular but instead very serious.” The Spaniard then added about Schick’s comeback: “His goal was a nice moment for everyone, especially for him personally after the long injury. We need him, his quality and his character. He is – like everyone – a very important player for us.”

Schick himself also spoke after the game of “emotional moments”. He added: “I’m very happy I was able to celebrate my goal with all the backroom staff. We’re on a run at the moment and in very good shape. We want to keep going just like this in the games up to the winter break. But we need to remain very focused.”

What the papers say: “Great emotions in frosty win”

Kicker’s summary of the game was “little shine but very clinical”, also saying of Schick’s strike: “His goal was a relief after a long time suffering and wrapped things up”. Bild counted the days since the Czech striker’s last goal (284) and described his celebration as “great emotions in frosty win in frozen Gothenburg”. The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger ran with the headline “Schick with the day’s football fairy tale”.

Personnel: Three firsts and a perfect comeback

Gustavo Puerta was handed his first Bayer 04 start in Sweden, playing in midfield alongside Robert Andrich. The Colombian had previously made only four appearances off the bench for the club, three in the Bundesliga and once in the Europa League. Alonso said afterwards of the 20-year-old: “Gustavo did very well, with control and calm, and made lots of correct decisions. You saw he’s ready.”

Half-time substitute Mbamba came on for his first Europa League appearance. More good news came with Schick making a scoring comeback as he played the final half hour, while Stanisic contributed a goal for the first time in Leverkusen colours with his assist for Boniface. The Croatia international then doubled up by setting up Schick again.

Stats: Leaders in several areas

It is the first time since the 1994/95 UEFA Cup campaign that Bayer 04 have won five straight matches in the main stage of a European competition. The Werkself have also scored in all five games, which is a feat no other team has managed in this year’s Europa League. A further best in the competition for 2023/24 is the three clean sheets from the first five group fixtures.

The match stats were pretty even, with 54 percent possession and 51 percent of challenges won for the Werkself, while Häcken were just ahead for shots (11-10). Both teams had a pass completion of 87 percent.

Outlook: Dortmund then cup

Leverkusen now have two home games to look forward to, with Borussia Dortmund next up at the BayArena this Sunday (17:30 CET) in the Bundesliga. The following Wednesday it’s Paderborn who visit in the last 16 of the DFB-Pokal (18:00). The Werkself then see out the week away at VfB Stuttgart on Sunday, 10 December (15:30).