2–0 Against Celje – Three Points, but No Reason for European Euphoria Yet

European nights at the BayArena can give me two things as far as I am concerned: a win and as little unnecessary stress as possible. Against NK Celje, Bayer 04 delivered both often enough. Three points are on the board, which is exactly what should have been expected against the Slovenian champions. In terms of performance, though, there was still plenty of room for improvement – and both Carles Martínez and Robert Andrich said as much afterwards. 

Martínez rotated heavily and made six changes from the draw in Augsburg. Martin Terrier started for the first time since March, Robert Andrich made his first start of the season, and Patrik Schick, Malik Tillman and Lucas Vázquez were among those brought back into the starting eleven. Bayer needed a few minutes to settle, but then increasingly took control. Terrier hit the post, Edmond Tapsoba forced the goalkeeper into a save, and eventually Aleix Garcia’s cross was deflected into the net by Svit Seslar. Not exactly one for the goal-of-the-season compilation, but in Europe I rarely ask too many questions about artistic merit. 

Garcia was the standout player for me. He dictated the tempo, kept appearing in dangerous areas and was directly involved in seven of Bayer’s twelve first-half attempts. That kind of presence is exactly what the team needs in midfield. Even so, Bayer should have made more of their superiority. Schick headed wide and Terrier missed when well placed. Against stronger opposition, those are the chances you cannot afford to keep wasting. 

There was also a warning sign at the other end. Despite Bayer’s control, Celje still created several very good chances, and Mark Flekken had to make a number of important saves in the first half. When your goalkeeper is one of the more noticeable players against opposition of this level, I do not find that especially reassuring. Defensive organisation had already bothered me in Augsburg, and there were moments here when the same issue appeared again. Celje did not punish the spaces they were given, but better teams will. Andrich himself pointed out afterwards that Bayer had allowed the visitors too much room. 

The second half became increasingly flat. Bayer still controlled possession, but for a long time there was not enough real threat. The introductions of Afonso Moreira and Christian Kofane finally brought more movement. Moreira hit the bar, and from the resulting corner Facundo Medina added the second. Medina is quietly developing into a rather unlikely BayArena goalscorer: two home appearances, two goals. For a defender, I will happily take that. 

There were other positives too. Terrier was back in the starting line-up and Eliesse Ben Seghir returned after injury. But my overall impression remains similar to the opening Bundesliga matches: this Bayer side has plenty of quality, but it is still too inconsistent. The good spells are becoming more frequent. What is still missing is the ability to sustain them for the full 90 minutes – more clinical finishing at one end and fewer unnecessary spaces at the other.

Three points, a clean sheet, job done.

That is not enough for European euphoria just yet.

But it was certainly enough for a successful night at the BayArena.