Of Pirates, Pokus & Pass Accuracy – Bayer’s Hamburg Heist With a Smile

Sometimes football feels more like a gritty crime novel than a sport. That 2:1 win at the Millerntor? Definitely filed under *"Werkself solves a difficult case under pressure."* Rainy, rowdy, and full of plot twists – just the way we like our Bundesliga away days. And in the end, Bayer 04 walks off with all three points, leaving the local pirates of FC St. Pauli clutching only their moral victories and fair-trade espresso.

Let’s be honest: this wasn’t a masterpiece. No football purist will study the opening 20 minutes and declare it a tactical epiphany. But who cares? We’re here for the points, not poetry. This was one of those classic away grinds – you get in, do your dirty work, keep the engines running, and leave before someone calls the police or VAR.

And let’s talk about our unsung hero turned action star: Edmond Tapsoba. The man was *everywhere*. Clearing balls off the line, scoring volleys like a striker on holiday from the back line – we’d be tempted to check if he secretly cloned himself for this match. That opener? A scrappy, opportunistic strike off a set piece, and just like that, our standard situation prowess was back on display. If there’s one thing this team does consistently, it’s turning dead balls into gold.

Of course, we then did the very Bayer 04 thing of briefly forgetting how to handle a corner. Flekken spilled it like a barista with a caffeine overdose, and St. Pauli were back in it. But did we collapse? Nope. We brought on a kid named Ernest Poku who clearly didn’t get the memo that he’s supposed to *ease* into Bundesliga football. Two minutes on the pitch, one clean strike into the bottom corner, and boom – legend status unlocked. That’s how you make an entrance. Somewhere in Leverkusen, a scout is quietly fist-pumping with pride.

And then there’s Robert Andrich. Back from suspension, breaking records like it’s a hobby. 37 Bundesliga away matches in a row without a loss. That’s not just a stat, that’s a lifestyle. It’s the kind of number that makes you look at his haircut and think, “Yep, that’s the guy I’d follow into a bar fight *and* a midfield duel.” No-nonsense leadership, and when he’s not on the pitch, guys like Grimaldo step in like it’s no big deal. Grimaldo, by the way, continues to play like he’s got a football GPS installed in his left foot – one moment a freekick magician, the next a precision assist machine.

Coach Hjulmand said we showed character – and you know what? He’s spot on. This wasn’t flashy Bayer. This was gritty, efficient, bit-your-lip-and-don’t-blink Bayer. We didn’t need 30 shots on goal; we just needed two clinical moments and 90 minutes of focus. The buildup play still stuttered at times, like someone playing jazz with construction equipment, but the attitude? Rock solid.

So, what do we take from this? First of all: we’re still unbeaten away. 36 times now. That’s not just a streak – that’s a warning to the rest of the league: don’t let Bayer 04 into your house, because we’ll redecorate and take your points while we’re at it. Second: we’ve got depth. Injuries? Rotations? No problem. Bring on the Pokus and Vázquezes of the world, and we keep rolling. Third: we fight. This team has developed a resilience that feels… new. Dare we say: champion-like?

Next up: Champions League night against PSV, then Union Berlin at home. Two very different kinds of games, but with this team, anything feels possible. If we keep combining Bundesliga grit with a sprinkle of magic, we might just be cooking something special this season.

Until then, Werkself fans – clean your boots, polish your Pokus, and enjoy the ride. Because winning ugly is still winning – and we’re getting really good at it.