“Bailey leads Bayer to victory,” is the headline in the Kölnische Rundschau and the newspaper goes on to describe the Jamaican’s opening goal as follows: “After just five minutes, Bailey scored the opener after a great pass from U21 international Wirtz – all appeared to be going to plan for the favourites. But then the hosts hit back through Acolatse.”
The Werkself did hit back after the brace scored by the Dutchman. The Rheinische Post presents the second Leverkusen goal as follows: “From a corner, Jedvaj powered a header in direction of Levita who did parry the ball but then had to watch as it bounced back off the head of Or Dadia into the net (39’).”
The BILD explicitly mentions the change made by Peter Bosz at half-time that led him to move Leon Bailey into the centre of the attack – and reports: “Then Bailey did a brilliant job with his head when he bravely threw himself towards a cross from Kerem Demirbay, keeper Levita rushed out and caught Bailey on the back of the neck. The double goalscorer could take it – 3-2 (75’).”
Bailey earned even more praise from the Ruhr Nachrichten. “The Jamaican was the outstanding player, scored the opening goal and the crucial third with his head playing as the central striker in spite of only being 1.78 metres tall,” reports the journal.
The scorer of the goal to make it 4-2 is also mentioned positively in many reports. Florian Wirtz “is continuing to work on breaking records,” writes the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger. “Set up the first goal and made it 4-2 with an excellent shot. At the age of 17 years and 6 months, the youngest German goalscorer and provider in the Europa League,” says the newspaper about the Werkself youngster who also scored on the first matchday in the 6-2 win against Nice.
Looking at the positions in the group, the EXPRESS reports: “The Werkself took a big step in the direction of the knockout rounds and are on course to be in Europe in the New Year with six points with two games at home in the remaining three matchdays.”
The Ivory Coast international Odilon Kossounou has completed the move from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to top-flight Italian club Atalanta. The Champions League participants from Lombardy took up the option to buy the 1.91 metre central defender who went out on loan to Atalanta at the start of the 2024/25 season.
Show moreCalling all Werkself fans: The new Farbenstadt range is available now from the Bayer 04 online shop and the Fanwelt. This includes new T-shirts made of 100% organic cotton, zip-up hoodies and jogging bottoms in five different summer colours.
Show moreBayer 04 new signing Carlotta Wamser has been called up to the Germany squad for the Women's EURO 2025 finals in Switzerland. For the 21-year-old winger, who is set to join Bayer 04 from Eintracht Frankfurt for next season, it is the first participation in a big international tournament.
Show moreWelcome to Leverkusen, Axel Tape! Bayer 04 have signed the 17-year-old defensive player on a free transfer from Champions League winners and French league and cup winners Paris Saint-Germain. The French U18 international has agreed a long-term contract at Leverkusen. Bayer 04 introduces the new arrival.
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