Late Goals, Big Cheers: Bayer 04 Keeps the Streak Alive!

In a nerve-wracking match, Bayer 04 Leverkusen once again proved its invincibility by remaining steadfast against TSG Hoffenheim and turning a deficit into a 2:1 victory. A game that kept the fans on the edge of their seats was decided in the final minutes.

The match started with a bang when Beier put the guests in the lead. However, Leverkusen, showing impressive form under Xabi Alonso, remained calm and focused. Alonso, who recently clarified his future with the Werkself, injected fresh energy into the starting lineup by including Tapsoba, Andrich, and Hofmann.

Despite dominating phases and controlled ball possession, Leverkusen struggled to find an answer to Hoffenheim's tight defensive network for a long time. It was only in the closing stage that the true strength of the team emerged. With a volley from Andrich and a last-minute goal by Schick, the BayArena turned into a madhouse of joy and relief.

This victory is more than just three points for Bayer 04; it's a testament to the will and persistence displayed by the team this season. The triumph over Hoffenheim symbolizes Leverkusen's spirit: never give up, always fight, and believe in success until the final whistle.

The upcoming matches against Fortuna Düsseldorf in the DFB-Pokal and Union Berlin in the Bundesliga will be further tests for the undefeated team. Yet, after this dramatic win, it seems that Bayer 04 is prepared for any challenge.

Bayer 04 proves that it's not just about the victories, but also how they are achieved. The spectacular finish against Hoffenheim will be remembered and is proof that hope in Leverkusen only dies with the final whistle. This season, the Werkself has shown it's a team that fights to the end – and often emerges victorious.

Big points before the international break

In a great soccer match, Bayer once again showed SC Freiburg how it's done! With a sweat-inducing 3:2 victory, the Werkself roared through the 26th matchday of the Bundesliga before the international break and made the hearts of the fans beat faster.

Just imagine: The match had only just kicked off when the ball was already in the net. Florian Wirtz, our soccer wizard, grabbed the ball and fired it into the far corner - bang, 1:0! But Freiburg, visibly unimpressed by our lightning start, promptly hit back and it was 1:1. Oh, this rollercoaster ride of emotions!

But we're not top of the table for nothing! Adam Hlozek, the man in the right place at the right time, put us back in front. And after the half-time break, Patrik Schick followed up with a shot that was so precise that it probably rang both inside posts before the ball found its way into the goal. 3:1.

Of course, it wouldn't be a real Bayer game without a bit of drama at the end. Freiburg's Keitel made it exciting again, but our boys held their nerve. And so we remained unbeaten in our 38th competitive match of the season - if that's not a reason to celebrate!

Now it's time for the international break, but after that we can't wait for the next match against TSG Hoffenheim. One thing is certain: our Werkself will show heart, fighting spirit and that irresistible will to win. So, let's celebrate being top of the table. Never champions? No way, we're well on our way to making history!

Madness

On a night that will go down in the annals of Bayer 04, the Werkself once again proved that soccer is the art of the impossible and writes dramas that even the best screenwriter could not have staged better. On the brink of elimination against Qarabag Agdam, the team showed a resilience that left fans and critics alike speechless.

The BayArena was not just a soccer stadium on Thursday evening; it was transformed into a seething arena of will and hope, where the Werkself celebrated an epic 3:2 comeback after trailing 2:0. The energy in the stadium was palpable as Jeremie Frimpong and the magical Patrik Schick got the black and red hearts beating again.

Alonso's decision to radically change the starting eleven initially seemed like a risky maneuver. But despite the personnel upheaval, Bayer dominated the game - proof of the team's tactical finesse and deep squad. However, when Qarabag surprisingly took the lead and later even scored the 2:0, a quiet resignation spread. But Leverkusen never believe it will end before the final whistle sounds.

The red card against Qarabag's Cafarquliyev and Frimpong's equalizer were the sparks that ignited the fire. The BayArena became the stage for an act of faith, led by the frenetic fans who savored every second. When Schick scored twice in stoppage time, the tension was released in ecstatic cheers.

Patrik Schick, the hero of the evening, made himself immortal with his brace. His goals were more than just statistical notes; they were a statement of hope and indomitable will. Now with five goals in the last four Europa League games, he underlines his importance to the team.

The Werkself continue to write their own legend, driven by an irrepressible spirit that manifests itself through magical nights like the one against Qarabag. Reaching the quarter-finals is more than just a sporting success; it is a symbol of Bayer 04's philosophy: never give up, always believe in yourself.

In the coming weeks, with the game against Freiburg and the home duel against Hoffenheim, the Werkself have the chance to continue their impressive run. But this night against Qarabag will be remembered as a moment of pure soccer magic, proof that in the world of soccer, miracles never cease.

Bayer shows greatness in a game of patience against Wolfsburg

In a season that reads like the script of a blockbuster, Bayer continued to set standards. The Werkself took command from the kick-off, gliding the ball across the pitch with the elegance of a dance ensemble, while Wolfsburg retreated into their defensive shell.

The game was a mirror image of the season: Leverkusen dominated, playing with patience and precision. Even when Wolfsburg were decimated after a yellow card, Bayer kept their cool and controlled the game. The Werkself finally took the lead through Nathan Tella, who got himself on the scoresheet in the 37th minute, proving that he should not be underestimated in the air. Tella, not normally known as a header monster, showed that size isn't everything in soccer - at least when you can jump as high as he can. The crowning moment came in the 86th minute when Florian Wirtz scored the 2:0 after an assist from Exequiel Palacios and sealed the deal.

Xabi Alonso praised his team's "mature performance" after the game. The coach emphasized the importance of patience and strategic play, especially after the red card for Wolfsburg. Granit Xhaka and goalscorer Tella also emphasized the importance of teamwork and patience, qualities that made the difference on the day.

The dominance of the Werkself was emphasized in the press review. With an impressive statistic of 19 shots on goal compared to just two for the Wolves and a 76% share of possession, Bayer Leverkusen showed that they are not just leaders on paper. Xhaka, the "pass machine", and Grimaldo, the "assist king", underline the individual class that this team possesses.

The statistical highlights speak volumes: with 67 points from 25 games, Bayer 04 is enjoying its second-best Bundesliga season ever. Only Bayern Munich had an even better record after 25 games under Pep Guardiola.

Looking ahead, the second leg of the UEFA Europa League round of 16 against Qarabag Agdam and the Bundesliga away match against SC Freiburg await. Before the international break, the Werkself will certainly do everything in their power to continue their run of success and perhaps even set new records.

Confidence is growing in Leverkusen that this season could be one for the history books. The Werkself is proving that great goals can be achieved with patience, strategy and team spirit. All that remains is to say: "Keep it up, Bayer! The record is waiting."

We no longer know how to give up

In a game that felt like a rollercoaster ride, Bayer once again proved that giving up is a foreign concept to them. In faraway Baku against Qarabag Agdam, the Werkself's fate initially seemed sealed - trailing 2-0 at half-time, they were in danger of suffering their first competitive defeat in 34 games without defeat. But in a thrilling turning point, Xabi Alonso's side showed remarkable comeback quality and fought out a 2-2 draw.

The first half did not go according to plan for the Werkself. With eight fresh faces compared to the 2-0 derby win in Cologne, Bayer visibly struggled to get into the game. The hosts from Azerbaijan made the most of their chances: Benzia put Qarabag ahead in the 26th minute, followed by Juninho, who extended the lead to 2-0 shortly before half-time.

But as we all know, half-time in soccer is sometimes an eternity. With the substitution of Jeremie Frimpong, Granit Xhaka, Florian Wirtz and Patrik Schick, the Werkself managed to turn the tide. Florian Wirtz, known for his technical finesse, found the net with a flawless lob in the 70th minute, and Patrik Schick equalized with a skillful header in stoppage time. Proof that Leverkusen can keep a cool head even under pressure.

The post-match gesture by the Werkself players, who gave their shirts to the fans who had traveled with them, was particularly noteworthy. This was in recognition of the support and the effort the fans had put in to attend the furthest away game in the club's history.

Statistically, Bayer 04 Leverkusen remain unbeaten in the Europa League and have an impressive record. With this draw, the Werkself continue their run and are optimistic about the upcoming games, including the second leg against Qarabag in Leverkusen.

In the meantime, the focus turns to the Bundesliga, where a home game against VfL Wolfsburg awaits on Sunday. This will be followed by the decisive second leg of the Europa League, which will give Bayer 04 the opportunity to demonstrate their fighting spirit and ambitions once again.

Leverkusen have shown once again that they are not only a team with talent, but also with great morale. The Werkself earned not only a point in Azerbaijan, but also further respect and recognition in European soccer.

Derbys victories always feel good

In a derby that was more explosive than an average episode of "Game of Thrones", Bayer 04 impressively proved on matchday 24 of the Bundesliga that they are well on their way to stepping out of the shadow of the eternal runners-up. With a commanding 2:0 away win against 1. FC Köln, the Werkself kept their championship dreams alive and continued their impressive run of 34 unbeaten competitive matches. The goals from Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo were the cherries on Leverkusen's cake, while Cologne's Jan Thielmann will probably have to chalk it up to a sour apple after he was shown a red card in the 13th minute.

Even before kick-off, it was clear that head coach Xabi Alonso was taking the derby seriously. With three fresh faces in the starting eleven - Josip Stanisic, Piero Hincapie and Patrik Schick - he sent out a clear signal: this is a team that wants to win. And that's how Bayer 04 started the game. Cheered on by 5,000 fans, they dominated the action from the start, even if the final pass was a long time coming.

The sending off of Thielmann seemed to seal Cologne's fate early on, but the cathedral city side refused to give in and defended tooth and nail. Nevertheless, Leverkusen found ways to break through the Cologne defense and were rewarded with two beautifully executed goals.

While Cologne now have to focus on the relegation battle with a heavy heart, Bayer 04 can already chill the champagne. A ten-point lead over FC Bayern Munich with ten games to go - that smells a lot like a championship party, which is probably decades overdue in Leverkusen.

But before the corks pop, the first leg of the round of 16 in the UEFA Europa League against Qarabag Agdam awaits. A trip to Baku that Bayer 04 sees as the next step on the road to national and international honors. And who knows, maybe this victory in Cologne will be the spark that ignites a historic season.

Leverkusen are dreaming big, and after this derby win, even their wildest dreams suddenly seem within reach. But as the saying goes in soccer: the final score will be settled at the end. Until then, everyone at the BayArena is enjoying the view from the very top - with a broad grin and the firm belief that this dream could become reality.