"In the 2-0 defeat against the Swiss champions Young Boys Bern, Leverkusen struggled to make amends for the 4-3 defeat in the first leg," is the sober analysis of the Süddeutsche Zeitung..
In the opinion of the BILD, Bayer 04 also went out because "the Swiss champions (three times in succession) are smarter, more convincing on the pitch and therefore deserved to go through."
The Rheinische Post also witnessed a similarly impressive performance from the visitors. "Skilful defending from Bern and focused pressure on the Werkself," was the analysis in the newspaper. "The Bern goalkeeper David von Ballmoos pulled off a fine reflex save to keep out Leon Bailey's shot (15')."
The EXPRESS describes the blow shortly after the restart as follows: "Elia's deflected cross stretched Lomb in the six-yard box more and more. The keeper initially caught the ball with his hands but lacked a firm grip so when he fell backwards he dropped the ball – Jordan Siebatcheu gambled and was left with a simple header into an empty net."
"Bailey could have scored a spectacular leveller," says the Frankfurter Rundschau in describing the minutes after the goal, "his back-heel from four yards out hit the Bern goalkeeper David von Ballmoos square on the chest (56')."
The ensuing efforts of Peter Bosz and his team to turn the game round is described by the Kölnische Rundschau as follows: "The coach dispensed with his back three and brought on striker Lucas Alario in place of central defender Aleksandar Dragovic." However: "It took until the 70 minutes before Alario had a chance but he put the ball wide of the target from four yards out. Three minutes later, Patrik Schick had the opportunity to equalise with a header but was denied by the Bern keeper David von Ballmoos."
The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger states, "the perennial Swiss champions had the better plan. They closed Bayer 04 down and attacked with wild abandon. The impressive Christian Fassnacht rounded off a counter-attack to make it 2-0 on 86 minutes."
Bosnia U19 international Kerim Alajbegovic is moving from Bayer 04 Leverkusen's youth set-up to Red Bull Salzburg. The talented attacking midfielder has signed a long-term contract with the Austrian club. At the same time, the works club secured a buy-back option for the 17-year-old, who was one of the mainstays of the Leverkusen U19s.
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