With a Chest to Glory – Patrik Schick Makes History as Union Crumbles

Sometimes, all it takes is a chest, a moment of brilliance, and a pinch of luck to rewrite history. Bayer 04 pulled off a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Union Berlin, not only handing the Köpenick side their first home defeat of the Bundesliga season but also celebrating a new club record. It was one of those matches where you sit in the stands or on your couch thinking, "Please don’t let this be a dull grind." But hey, with Bayer 04, there’s always something to talk about.

The Stadion An der Alten Försterei has this fortress-like aura—rugged but not invincible. Bayer proved that last year when a narrow win there all but secured the Meisterschale. This time, the stakes were different: it was all about staying within striking distance of Bayern Munich. The lineup already sparked debate: no Florian Wirtz in the starting eleven? Xabi Alonso clearly had one eye on the DFB-Pokal showdown on Tuesday. That’s just how it goes when you’re competing on all fronts—rotation is necessary, even if it feels risky.

But rotation or not, the start was a dream. A long ball from Jonathan Tah, a blistering run from Alejandro Grimaldo, a perfectly weighted pass to Jeremie Frimpong—and boom, 1-0 in under two minutes. Berlin looked stunned, and as a fan, you couldn’t help but think, "We’re on fire!" Yet, anyone who knows Union knows they don’t roll over easily. With their trademark grit and relentless fight, they clawed their way back to an equalizer, and suddenly, the mood turned tense. Bayer dominated possession, but the cutting edge was missing. By halftime, it was all square, and there was this nagging worry in the back of every fan’s mind: "Please, not one of those Bayer games where we let it slip."

The second half started just as scrappy, with Union making it tough for Bayer to find their rhythm. But then came the moment we were all waiting for: Florian Wirtz stepped onto the pitch, and the entire dynamic shifted. It was like someone flipped a switch. And when Patrik Schick chested the ball into the net, it was pure relief. Not just because it was the winner, but because it marked Schick’s 48th Bundesliga goal for Bayer—a new club record. How fitting for such a milestone to come in such a critical game.

The closing stages were nerve-wracking as Union threw everything forward, but Bayer held their ground. It wasn’t the prettiest performance of the season, but winning games like this is what separates contenders from pretenders. Now, all eyes turn to the future: Bayern Munich awaits in the DFB-Pokal, followed by a home clash against St. Pauli. As a fan, you can’t help but feel that this team is on the verge of something special—they have the talent, the determination, and yes, that little bit of luck you always need.

You could call it a workmanlike victory, but that feels too clinical. It was a piece of club history wrapped in 90 minutes of Bundesliga football. And who knows? Maybe we’ll look back at this gritty win in Berlin and say, "That’s where it all started." Sometimes, all it takes is a chest to set everything in motion.

Five-Star Werkself – When the Champions League Feels Like a Training Match

What a night at the BayArena! You could almost believe Bayer 04 signed an exclusive deal with UEFA: “Spectacular football with a goal guarantee.” A 5-0 victory against FC Salzburg, delivered with a swagger that bordered on cheeky. As a Bayer fan, you find yourself pinching your arm these days. When was the last time a Champions League evening felt less like a heart-pounding rollercoaster and more like a casual kickabout in the backyard? Salzburg, a team with pedigree and quality, wasn’t just beaten—they were dismantled. It feels like Xabi Alonso has built a team that peaks at just the right moments while putting on a show for the fans.

This wasn’t just a routine win; it was an exhibition. From the first minute, the team showed they weren’t just there to grab three points—they were there to give the fans their money’s worth. Possession? Dominated. Passing? Laser-sharp. Goals? Works of art. The opening penalty was relatively routine, but what followed was pure spectacle. Grimaldo’s free-kick was straight out of a highlight reel, Wirtz dribbled like he’d walked out of a street football video, and Schick and Garcia rounded off the night in style. It felt like everyone wanted their moment in the spotlight, contributing to a near-perfect script. And all of it without the usual nail-biting suspense that Leverkusen fans know all too well.

Of course, with all this success, the inevitable question looms: Can they maintain this level? This team feels different—more composed, more mature. Players like Florian Wirtz and Granit Xhaka bring a perfect blend of youthful flair and cool-headed experience. Even Alonso’s decision to bring on young talents for their Champions League debuts shows that this isn’t just about short-term glory; it’s about building something for the future. It feels like Bayer 04 has finally arrived—not just in the Champions League, but in a new era.

Still, as beautiful as this snapshot is, football is unpredictable, and the upcoming fixtures will be a test of this team’s mettle. Union Berlin is waiting this weekend, and then there’s Bayern Munich in the DFB-Pokal—a pair of games as different as they are challenging. Now is no time to relax. But one thing is clear: this Werkself has given us a performance to remember.

As a fan, there’s only one thing left to say: Keep it coming!

A Little Setback? No Problem – We've Got Schick!

There are matches that age you as a fan, and then there are games like the one against 1. FC Heidenheim, which take a whole year off your life in 90 minutes. After the international break, during which we were treated to injury updates and Hoeneß boldly guaranteeing another Bayern title, returning to Bundesliga action already had a certain edge of unease. And what does Bayer 04 do? They gift us a chaotic first 20 minutes full of defensive mishaps, poor coordination, and an opponent who once again turns half a chance into a clinical goal. Twice.

Two goals down, and the familiar frustration started to creep in. But if there’s one thing about this Bayer 04 team under Xabi Alonso, it’s that they don’t give up. It’s as if Alonso has installed a new layer of resilience, a trait we fans have often only heard about but rarely seen. It was clear that all the possession would eventually pay off. And so it did. First, Palacios gave us hope with a clinical finish, and then there was Patrik Schick—the man we’ve been searching for all season.

With a hat trick that could serve as a case study for strikers everywhere, Schick didn’t just turn the game around; he reasserted the team’s identity. That chip for the equalizer? Pure artistry. The goal just after the break? Ice-cold precision. The header for the third? A statement of his quality. It was as if Schick channeled all the doubts we’ve been carrying—Boniface’s injury, the lack of a clear backup striker—into a masterclass of center-forward play, reminding us why he’s one of the Bundesliga’s best when fit.

Yet, as sweet as this victory was, there’s an underlying unease. Why must we first dig ourselves into a hole before showing our true strength? Why does the team often look like it’s still warming up while the opponent is already operating at full throttle? Of course, it’s impressive how we wrested control of the game back, but why can’t we impose that control from the outset? These are the questions that drive Bayer fans to the brink of despair because they aren’t new.

Maybe it’s the classic Leverkusen experience: even after a 5-2 victory, you can’t help but feel there’s still something left to improve. But while the stadium roared with chants for Schick and celebrated Xhaka’s stunning strike, the bigger picture remains: this team has the potential to break free from old patterns. Whether they can do that against Salzburg in the Champions League or in the tough Bundesliga fixtures ahead remains to be seen. For now, there’s pride in knowing we can deliver breathtaking football when it matters—though we do seem to enjoy making the road as rocky as possible.

In the end, this is what it means to love this club: the belief that anything is always possible—for better or for worse. Maybe it’s these emotional rollercoasters that will one day carry us to where we’ve always wanted to be: the top. Until then, we’ll savor days like Saturday, when Patrik Schick walked off with the match ball tucked under his arm, and we all knew how it went: first drama, then ecstasy. A classic Bayer afternoon.

A Lead is Not a Win – Werkself Drops Points Yet Again

It’s almost maddening: Bayer 04 just can’t seem to learn how to hold onto a lead. There we were in Bochum with 70 percent possession, looking like the clear winners for most of the match—then the 90th minute came, and it all unraveled. Again. And yet again, it’s a team from the lower part of the table that walks away with a point. Bochum, not exactly known for being a point thief this season, showed us exactly what Bayer seems to be missing: resolve and the pure grit not to give up.

Xabi Alonso and the players sounded visibly frustrated after the game. The same feeling as against Kiel, when a last-minute equalizer shattered a win that was almost secured. It’s the same story as against Bremen. No win, just another late goal undoing all our efforts. Alonso, who had stressed at halftime that a 1-0 lead might not be enough, shows just how much it irks him that the team can’t carry his expectations onto the field. What is it that keeps us from sealing the deal after taking a lead? Why does a Bayer win this season feel like a fragile structure that could collapse at any moment?

Captain Hradecky looked despondent and called it “a bitter slap in the face”—but honestly, as fans, even we aren’t surprised anymore. The team falls back into the same patterns again and again, seeming to ease off the gas after pulling ahead. Maybe it’s also a psychological hurdle: we’re still not fully comfortable in the role of favorites. As vice-champions, Bayer 04 Leverkusen is expected to play confidently against "weaker" teams—but reality keeps proving otherwise.

Bochum’s late equalizer was a painful reminder that being the stronger team on paper means nothing. Bochum not only put up a strong fight, but they had the will to be a team that plays at our level. And us? Sometimes it feels like we rely too much on our individual skill. That hard lesson seems to be something Bayer still needs to learn, as this tendency to blow leads has become a theme of the season. We’ve now let eleven points slip away after taking the lead, putting us at the top of the league in this not-so-desirable category—hardly the kind of title Bayer fans want to see.

The frustrated faces on the players after the match say it all, yet nothing seems to change. The stats make it worse: over 70 percent possession, high pass accuracy—and still, at the end, there’s just the one point, which feels like a bad joke. We urgently need to learn what it takes to act like a top team when in the lead. It’s not only composure we’re lacking; it’s also the confidence to handle the pressure right up until the final whistle.

After the international break, we’ll be back on home turf. Maybe the support of our fans will give us the edge we need. But even that’s no guarantee we’ll come away with the points we desperately need. The performance in Bochum is another harsh reminder that Bayer 04 is still far from being a top team that can securely close out games.

Bonfire Night Blowout: Bayer Gets Burned at Anfield

On a night when the skies over Liverpool were already primed for fireworks, Bayer 04 walked right into a Bonfire Night showdown at Anfield. It’s a classic English tradition to light up the night on November 5th, and Liverpool made sure we saw just how explosive they could be. Unfortunately for us, the fireworks on the pitch all came from the Reds. And yet, for one glorious half, it looked like our Werkself might actually manage to put a damper on the celebrations.

With seven points from three Champions League matches, we arrived with the ambition to silence the legendary Anfield crowd, if only for a while. Xabi Alonso, back on his old stomping grounds, put together a lineup designed to strengthen the defense and keep Liverpool’s attack in check. And in the first half, it worked like a charm. Bayer controlled possession, stayed disciplined, and even outplayed Liverpool in duels. For 45 minutes, we showed everyone that we didn’t come to England to sit back. Ball possession? Ours. Duel percentage? Ours, too. To hold Liverpool off like that on their own turf is no small feat, and we had reason to be optimistic heading into the break.

But alas, dreams can fade quickly at Anfield. The second half saw Liverpool unleash a display worthy of Bonfire Night. First came Luis Diaz, then Cody Gakpo, hitting us with a brutal one-two punch that shattered our resolve. Within minutes, we found ourselves 2-0 down, and any hope of escaping with points evaporated. The Anfield crowd came alive, and suddenly Bayer’s control slipped through our fingers. The team tried to regroup, with Xhaka and the midfield fighting to wrestle back possession, but the chances just wouldn’t fall our way. Diaz, fully in the zone, added two more to complete a ruthless 4-0 scoreline that left us reeling.

The frustration was real—not because we didn’t try, but because the first half had shown we could match them stride for stride. To go down so hard in the second half was a tough pill to swallow. But there’s no time to dwell on it. The Champions League march goes on, and Bundesliga duty calls on Saturday with a clash in Bochum. A break would be nice with the packed schedule, but for now, we press on. If there’s one lesson to take away from this wild Anfield night, it’s how vital those last 30 minutes are in a place as intense as Liverpool. Xabi Alonso knew this wouldn’t be an easy task, but it’s these hard knocks that will only make us stronger.

A Night Without a Happy Ending

Friday night, under the lights in the BayArena, packed stands – and a goalless draw that no one saw coming. 0-0 against VfB Stuttgart, last season’s surprise runner-up. When Bayer 04 faces the Swabians, goals and excitement are usually guaranteed. Fast-paced back-and-forth play, often with a happy ending for the Werkself. But this time? Nothing! In the end, the score stayed at zero – not just in our goal but in theirs, too. It almost felt like a cruel joke, considering all the chances we had and the self-assured performance from our boys. Stuttgart came at us with their high pressing, determined to make life difficult, but what did the Werkself do? Pure dominance! Xabi Alonso’s game plan was spot on. We took control, ramped up the offensive engine, and the chances piled up. Only the net stayed empty. In the first half alone, we had some serious moments. Frimpong’s offside goal got our hearts racing for a second, only to bring us back down to reality. And when Tapsoba’s header hit the crossbar, we got that sinking feeling that the aluminum was going to be our toughest opponent tonight.

There are nights when you just feel it – the ball is not going in, and tonight was one of those. The second half started the same way the first ended – with pressure and chances for Leverkusen. We threw everything forward, and then, another post – this time from Boniface. How many times have we already been denied by the woodwork this season? Sometimes it feels like the goals themselves are conspiring against us. Even after our 17th attempt of the night, it was clear that Alexander Nübel and his defense were determined to send us home empty-handed. A defensive wall from Swabia that we just couldn’t break.

To be fair, it was a powerful defensive display from our team. Tah and Tapsoba made sure nothing got through at the back. Stuttgart didn’t manage a single shot for a long time, and beyond that, not much else worked for them either. It wasn’t that the Swabians lacked ideas – it was more that our boys stayed so focused on defense, putting pressure on them early and barely letting them breathe. No real threats materialized, and Hradecky could almost have had a relaxed evening. Only we fans waited for that goal and felt the tension every time the Werkself pushed forward.

Luckily, despite the frustration, there are some positives. This match showed how solid we’ve become. It’s also reassuring to see that our defense is making almost no mistakes across the full 90 minutes – a sign of how far the team has come recently. But of course, with an offense that’s always going full throttle, you just expect goals. Now there’s the away game in Liverpool around the corner, and it’s going to be anything but easy. We’ll need a bit more efficiency up front to withstand the heat at Anfield. But either way, the Werkself has shown us again that they can keep up on any stage – now all we need is a bit of luck.