This point against Bayern suddenly feels like one gained

You can say a lot about this 1–1 against Bayern Munich, but you certainly cannot say Bayer 04 are boring right now. What the Werkself have put on the pitch in these last few days against Arsenal and now Bayern is finally what we in Leverkusen miss the second it disappears: intensity, courage, structure, life. This team looks like a team again, not like a loose collection of good ideas running on tired legs.

That was obvious for long stretches against Bayern. Bayer started aggressively, were switched on in the duels, had a clear plan without the ball, and played with that ideal mix of discipline and cheek you need against Munich. And the best story of the afternoon might have been Montrell Culbreath. While other clubs spend fortunes trying to manufacture “mentality profiles,” Bayer simply send out an academy kid who plays as if he has been doing this for five years.

And still, the final feeling is one every Bayer fan knows far too well: pride with a slight stomach ache. Of course, a point against Bayern is not a disaster. But when the opponent play first with ten men and then with nine, and you still do not win, you cannot frame the result with pretty xG numbers and call it a success. Then it is not just two points missing, but also a bit of ruthlessness.

That is the critical point. Bayer once again looked mentally and football-wise like a side that belongs on this level. But that promise has to turn into something tangible. Too many good performances currently end with the same word: almost. Almost better. Almost closer. Almost deserved. Unfortunately, football is a ruthless business for teams that do everything right except turn superiority into goals.

Still, the direction is encouraging. Hjulmand’s ideas are becoming clearer, the team looks more stable, and even against one of Europe’s heavyweights Bayer 04 finally looked like Bayer 04 again. They just have to take that final step. Otherwise, we will once more be left with the familiar conclusion that we can do nearly everything — except put the game to bed. And even for us, that would be a little too faithful to tradition.