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.

Next defeat in another wild game

In the Europa League, Leverkusen must fear for advancement, in the Bundesliga Bayer is falling behind. After the defeat against AS Monaco, the Werkself also suffered a setback in the Bundesliga, losing 3-2 at home to Mainz.

Xabi Alonso made a clear statement before the match against Mainz. With his starting eleven, he made it clear where his priorities currently lie - namely on the second leg at AS Monaco in the Europa League. Alonso did without his best offensive players at the start. Moussa Diaby was absent due to a muscular injury, but Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz, who were both only on the bench, were voluntary substitutes. But you actually have to beat Mainz with the starting eleven.

It's also unbelievable that Bayer has missed seven of the past eight penalty kicks. Three weeks earlier, Tapsoba had scored from the spot against VfL Bochum.

And about the referee, I'll just quote the Kicker: "Grade 6, caused confusion with confused and faulty performance; the penalty for Leverkusen was very questionable: recognized Bell's clear foul on Adli only after video study (45.+5); overlooked Kohr's elbow strike against Schick (76th); Kohr's foul on Frimpong was red-worthy (85th)." Need I add anything else?

Bitter home defeat against Monaco

After a wild game, especially in the second half, Bayer Leverkusen loses 3-2 to AS Monaco in the first leg of the Europa League knockout round playoffs. A curious own goal by goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky puts Bayer behind early on, after which the Werkself repairs the slip-up strongly - and still walks off the pitch as losers against AS Monaco.

A bitter defeat overall, but the fair is not yet read. Annoying nonetheless, Hlozek was unlucky to score a goal a few minutes before the Monaco team hit the post. The motto is not to give up and to win a three-goal game at home against Mainz on Sunday.

There you go

Last week, I was still afraid that Hoffenheim would show commitment after the change of coach and cause difficulties for the Werkself. However, that was not the case today. Bayer took an early lead and controlled the game in the first half. And anyone who thought Hoffenheim would come out of the dressing room with commitment was proven wrong. In half two were not 100 seconds played, it was 2:0 for us. The rest to the 3:! Victory was actually only Schaulaufen, because the Werkself in the further course allowed only little.

Now we need to get back on track and secure a good starting position for progressing in Europe beforehand against Monaco - that's the motto for the coming carnival days with the home game against Monaco on Women's Carnival and Mainz on Carnival Sunday.

Disappointing performance in Augsburg

In the twelfth Bundesliga away match at FC Augsburg, Bayer 04 remained without points for the first time: The Werkself had to admit defeat with 0:1. Actually, it was a typical 0:0 game, but it's no use. If you concede a goal, then it's just zero points.

Especially in the second half, the team let itself be beaten. In the second half, Augsburg was always a tad faster in the duels and always a bit more poisonous. All in all, it was a clear step backwards for Bayer. And above all, it was again a standard that put Augsburg on the winning track. Okay, that can't happen, but it really shouldn't. In addition, it must also be noted that the Werkself has not netted for the second game in a row. And without goals, you just can't score when things don't go right at the back.

If Hoffenheim loses tomorrow in Bochum, they will probably fire their coach. So it will be hard enough for us in the next away game in Sinsheim. We urgently need points, and it's better to look down than up. It's a lost season so far anyway.