Home wins against Bayern always do you good

A deficit turned around, a penalty kick sunk, a great atmosphere, no loss of contact with the top. Yesterday evening offered everything that the Bayer heart desires. Not to forget the curious penalty incidents: twice swallow given against Adli, yellow card for him and twice reviewed and penalty sunk. Without VAR, the game would have gone once again for Bayern and Adli with yellow-red from the field.

Somehow, I am now glad about the international break. Our team now needs air to breathe, even if 14 players are traveling the world on international duty. Sometimes international call-ups give us a little extra breathing room.

Mandatory win in Budapest

Even such hurdles have to be overcome in order not to suffer any further setbacks for the rest of the season. After the 2-0 home win against weak Budapest, the Werkself also won the return match in Budapest 2-0 and is thus safely in the Europa League quarterfinals. Often enough, such leads have melted away in the past. Today, however, our logo is in the lottery again when it comes to the next round. If the Werkself can be blamed for anything, it's the fact that after the quick 1:0 in the 3rd minute, the lead wasn't extended further. But maybe we were just saving things for Sunday night, when Bayern are guests at the BayArena before the international break.

We can also come from behind

The Werkself won its third competitive match in a row, winning 3:2 in Bremen. We certainly had the necessary luck on our side. To be fair, however, we have to admit that we have not had this luck often enough this season. And a nice message of the evening is also the fact that we can come back from behind. That wasn't always the case in the past. And unlike Freiburg, where it was "only" enough for a draw, this time it was a three-goal win despite being behind.

However, one thing lies in my stomach every week, and this is the fact that the Bayer still catches a goal against in the last minutes. Gladbach, Monaco. Mainz, Hoffenheim are just a few names that come to mind. This must change urgently.

Tough game, but important win against Budapest

The home match in the Europa League round of 16 against Budapest was anything but a footballing treat. A tough game with rather few chances, but with a satisfactory outcome of 2-0 for the Werkself. This is a good cushion for the second leg next week.

Somehow I did not see a good player last night, which was surprising after the top performance against Hertha on Sunday, Sure, the defense played to zero. To be fair though, Budapest, even though they were group winners ahead of Monaco, performed more at second division level. Advancing next week is a must. Before that, get three points in Bremen, then pass Budapest successfully and then Bayern can come. Even if they feel like they're "Überbayern" after the win against PSG, they're not this year.

Why not always like this?

On matchday 23, Bayer put in a convincing performance to beat Hertha BSC 4:1, a result that was also well deserved. This was the right mood for the hot phase of the season.

From kickoff, it was one-way soccer in the direction of the Berlin box. In addition, the Werkself was quickly rewarded for its storm and drive. After twelve minutes, the fast-paced interplay down the right bore fruit for the first time when Moussa Diaby passed to Jeremie Frimpong, whose cross was pushed over the line by Sardar Azmoun from six meters. The Berliners lost sight of the Leverkusen attack, which was unleashed as if on fire, and the attack via Odilon Kossounou, Frimpong, Diaby and Frimpong again as the shooter of the 2:0 was wonderfully played out. Finally, after an hour, the third strike of the highly superior home side: Florian Wirtz shook a fantastic pass to Diaby from his ankle and the Frenchman scored his eighth goal of the season to make it 3-0. Berlin's connection through Lukebakio's penalty no longer had any influence on the game, substitute Amine Adli restored the old distance and the final score after Patrik Schick had done the groundwork.

After this victory, the only motto is: keep it up. On Thursday, the first leg against Budapest will be European. A clear home victory would certainly be helpful for everyone.

Good game in Freiburg, but still too little

Weeks ago, we wouldn't have expected to get a point in Freiburg. After the game, it has to be said that it was a good game for the Werkself, but still a point is perhaps too little in the race to catch up. Victory would always have been possible. The Werkself repeatedly launched promising attacks, but got bogged down in the final third - and above all lacked the drive for goal. That has to change next weekend, when the team can once again win at home.

And we can still do it

Bayer is through to the last 16 of the Europa League. In the penalty shootout victory over AS Monaco, the Werkself overcame its biggest trauma in the recent past. Eight of the last ten penalties missed, today all five easily sunk. Eliminated eleven times after a home defeat and then advanced today.

We played well, fought hard and kept our nerves under control in the end. Hopefully it gives the guys a positive effect now, and you can take it into the league. Sunday it goes on in Freiburg. The gap to the front is large. So let's build on what we've shown and show in Breisgau that the Werkself can also do well twice in a row.