Video: Bayer 04 Season Highlights 2010/11

A 15 minute review of last season, enjoy!

Video uploaded by third party with no link to Mundilev.tk. We assume no responsibility for it!

Schürrle scores again vs Azerbaijan

Mario Gomez continued his rich vein of form as Germany maintained their perfect record in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group A and secured a top-two finish in the process.

FC Bayerm München striker Gomez supplemented Mesut Özil’s opener with his 13th goal in his last eight matches for club and country four minutes before half-time. Though Azerbaijan’s hopes of an unlikely draw increased when substitute Murad Huseynov pulled one back with a minute remaining, any prospect of Berti Vogts’s team claiming a point were extinguished through fellow replacement André Schürrle.

Proceedings could have unfolded differently had Vugar Nadyrov’s early strike from 25 metres found the net rather than being tipped on to the bar by Manuel Neuer. Toni Kroos then hit the woodwork at the other end with a free-kick before his shot from the edge of the penalty area was expertly saved by Kamran Agayev.

The breakthrough arrived on the half-hour mark, though, with Özil picking up Benedikt Höwedes’s cross from the right, surging past a defender and firing in from a tight angle via the far post. Scorer then turned provider as an exquisite pass from Özil teed up the hitherto quiet Gomez for the simplest of finishes.

Azerbaijan responded with Aleksandr Chertoganov and Vagif Javadov having efforts before the break, while on the hour Philipp Lahm was thwarted by a clutch of home defenders after being released by Kroos. Gomez, who was denied by Agayev when one on one with the Azerbaijan keeper, Özil and Huseynov all threatened to get on the scoresheet before the home No9 did so when the ball fell kindly at his feet in the area.

Schürrle put Germany’s seventh successive victory in the section beyond doubt in added time, leaving Joachim Löw’s charges in buoyant mood ahead of their next game in the group, at home to Austria on 2 September, when they could book their place in Poland and Ukraine. Even now, only Turkey are still able to catch them.

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Barnetta scores two goals in the Euro 2012 qualifier against England in Wembley

England recovered from a two-goal deficit to maintain their unbeaten record in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group G in an entertaining tie that brought Switzerland reward for an enterprising display.

The home side trailed to two direct free-kicks from Tranquillo Barnetta but Frank Lampard quickly reduced the arrears from the penalty spot and his half-time replacement, Ashley Young, struck a fine equaliser six minutes after coming on. England were relieved, though, that Montenegro were held 1-1 by Bulgaria so the unbeaten pair remain level at the top, six points ahead of Switzerland.

Switzerland, needing a win to revive their bid, were bold in their attacking intent and it was not uncommon to see four or five red shirts in and around the England area. Twice Joe Hart was forced into saves in the opening eight minutes, the second a smart readjustment to keep out Gökhan Inler’s deflected drive.

England had found little penetration since an early charge from Darren Bent but their hopes rose again as Lampard found Rio Ferdinand with a measured cross only for the defender’s header to clear the crossbar. Just before that Xherdan Shaqiri had extended Hart again but the goalkeeper’s next involvement left him shaking his head.

Barnetta’s free-kick was clipped into a crowded penalty area and evaded everyone to creep in by Hart’s left-hand post. It was only the second goal England had conceded in the group but within three minutes they let in another – and from the same source.

This time Barnetta had a tighter angle but his delivery headed towards the right-hand corner after dissecting the two-man wall. Hart strained to scramble the ball away with his right boot but failed, leaving Barnetta, without a goal in his previous 32 internationals, to celebrate again.

However, Jack Wilshere immediately began to demonstrate the bite that had been lacking for England, twice coming through tackles before drawing a foul from his Arsenal FC team-mate Johan Djourou. Lampard’s penalty was struck hard and under Diego Benaglio’s dive.

Young replaced Lampard at the break and was immediately prominent. Following a throw-in, Leighton Baines, an earlier replacement for the hobbling Ashley Cole, set up Young and his shot had just enough power to defeat Benaglio.

More opportunities came England’s way. Benaglio came out to deny Bent and when he only partially stopped another Young attempt, it seemed Bent must put England ahead but over went his shot. Late on Admir Mehmedi came close to clinching victory for Switzerland while with the last kick, Stewart Downing missed the target.

Source: Uefa.com

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Bayer 04 Goals: Fixture 18 to 34 Bundesliga Season 2010/11

Fixtures 1 to 17 can be found here>> mundilev.tk

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André Schürrle scores his first goal for the Nationalmannschaft

Germany prepared for Friday’s UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier away to Austria with a narrow friendly victory in Sinsheim.

The last time these nations met was in the third-place play-off at last summer’s FIFA World Cup, Germany prevailing 3-2 in Port Elizabeth. Like on that occasion, it was also an FC Bayern München player who opened the scoring, Mario Gomez emulating Thomas Müller’s feat of ten months ago with his tenth goal in his last six games for club and country.

Andre Schürrle doubled the lead ten minutes before the break on his third appearance for the Mannschaft, with Walter Gargano’s strike early in the second half proving nothing more than consolation for Uruguay. That sends Germany to Vienna on Friday in high spirits as they seek a sixth successive victory in Group A.

Gomez’s 20th-minute opener was all of his own making. The striker stole possession from Diego Lugano, charged down the left, cut inside and beat Fernando Muslera from ten metres. Mesut Özil created the second, spotting Schürrle unmarked on the edge of the area. The soon-to-be Bayer 04 Leverkusen player required two touches before opening his international account by curling in a right-footed shot.

Gagano profited from the Germany’s failure to clear their lines after 48  minutes, while Manuel Neuer then made a vital save to keep out Diego Godín’s close-range effort as a raft of substitutions began to affect the pace of proceedings. The final chance fell to Gomez, whose shot from an acute angle went wide, but it mattered not for Joachim Löw’s side as they closed the game out.

Source: Uefa.com

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Review of individual performances and new transfers

Club boss Wolfgang Holzhäuser said this week in an interview on Bayer04-TV that the first stage of the squad planning for the next season has finalized. Additional transfers could happen if injuries occur or the new coach Robin Dutt sees in the preseason a need to improve a certain position.

However, according to the German Press we have no further room for investments into our squad.  The guaranteed sum of around 20 million euros for playing the group-stage of the Champions League is already used up.  The transfer of Schürrle (8-10 million euros), the stadium upgrade (costs: around 80 million euros, financed by a 0% interest loan from the Bayer AG), contract extensions and generous investments in new players at times where the Werkself did not play internationally could mean that we will not see further spectacular signings this summer apart from André Schürrle.  

Transfer Balance
negative= Expenditure in Transfers > Income from Transfers
positive= Income from Transfers > Expenditure in Transfers

currently Season 2011/12: -10.200.000 €
Season 2010/11: +850.000 € (Winter-Sale of Helmes turned balance positive)
Season 2009/10: -4.950.000 €
Season 2008/09: -7.050.000 €
Season 2007/08: -7.180.000 €
Season 2006/07: +8.270.000 €
Season 2005/06: +1.565.000 €
Season 2004/05: +11.986.000 €
<<W.Holzhäuser substitutes R.Calmund as CEO with the objective to reduce the accumulated debt during our great years>>
Season 2003/04: -1.200.000
Season 2002/03: -13.450.000 € (relegation was avoided in the last fixture)
Season 2001/02: -2.150.000 € (3x 2.place)

More details>> Transfermarkt.de 

Find below a personal review on the individual season performances of the current squad and new signings; players that will continue on loan or be sold; or have left us this year.

Legend

Red= player leaving us
Green= new signing
Blue= future uncertain

Rating= from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).  

RB= right-back
CB= centre-back
LB= left-back
DM= defensive midfield
RM= right midfield
LM= left midfield
OM= offensive midfield (central)
ST= striker

CURRENT SQUAD AND NEW SIGNINGS

GOALKEEPERS

René Adler: Overall steady from beginning to end with not many point losing mistakes.  Spectacular saves from him have been rare this season compared to other years.  Should extend his contract (running till 2012) in the next 2-3 weeks. *7*

Fabian Giefer: Did a good job when René Adler was out in two Bundesliga and two Europa League games. Good prospects for the future! *6*

Benedikt Fernandez: Played for the reserve team, will move to a 2.Bundesliga team. (contract expires) *no rating*

Tomasz Bobel: No match practice, will leave us too (contract expires). *no rating*

We will need to sign a third goalkeeper or promote one from the youth team.

DEFENSE

Gonzalo Castro (RB,LB,LM): Seems to perform at a higher level in midfield, where ball losses and poor positioning are less noticeable. His three goals and seven assists in the Bundesliga, show his offensive potential. *7*

Daniel Schwaab (RB,CB): Was stronger this season in the centre-back position than as right-back. His change of position arose due to Hyypiä’s declining physical form. Great at initiating attacks from defense (can run forward with the ball and play a difficult pass). A quality which Stefan Reinartz and Manuel Friedrich lack. *7*

Stefan Reinartz (CB,DM): Not dynamic enough for the centre-back position, although he improved in the second part of the season. However, quick and agile strikers will continue to have it easy against him. Better off in defensive midfield. *4*

Manuel Friedrich (CB): Had a good stretch of games before the winter break. A shoulder injury made him miss most of the second part of the season. Given his age (32 in August) little room for physical improvement (slow). *5*

Sami Hyypiä (CB): It was an honor to have such a great player in our team. His second season at Bayer 04 was marked by an injury before the winter-break followed by a declining physical form during the rest of the season. Sami decided to renounce his last year of contract as he did not feel confident on playing another season at the level he would like to.  The Finnish player will use next season to obtain his coaching license.  He will work as an assistant to Finland’s national coach Mika-Matti Paatelainen and undergo trainee-ships at different clubs including Bayer 04. In 2012/13 he will join the Werkself as assistant coach for at least two years. *6*

Ömer Toprak (CB): New signing for Leverkusen coming from Freiburg. We have been following this centre-back the last three years.  A severe karting accident at the beginning of 2009 stopped his progression, he was out for over six months.  It took quite a while till he reached the level before the incident, 2010 was surely not his year.   In 2011 he had four decent games over the full distance, but once the news got out that he would move to Leverkusen, his performances dropped again.  Ömer finished the season with a red card, that did not allow him to play the season finale against Bayer 04. *4*

Michal Kadlec (LB,LM): Improved in comparison to last season, but never regained the level of his first year with Bruno Labbadia. Linked with Liverpool in the last months. *7*

Bastian Oczipka (LB,LM): This Bayer youngster has been on loan for three years, first at Hansa Rostock and then St.Pauli. In both clubs he was part of the starting line-up and therefore added 82 league games on both loan spells. Bastian played a great Bundesliga season but suffered a bone injury in the 23rd fixture which put an end to it. He is considered as one of the uprising German talents on the left back position together with Marcel Schmelzer (Dortmund) and Felix Bastians (Freiburg). With his return to Leverkusen, Kadlec will finally have the chance to receive a rest when needed.  As mentioned above he could also be the replacement for the Czech player in case of a transfer to Liverpool.  The initial report of Bild that Oczipka would be sold to Hoffenheim for 3 million Euros was false, the player confirmed his return last week in an interview. *7*

Domagoj Vida (RB,CB): Played only one Bundesliga and eight Europa League games. Solid on the defensive end, Domagoj should concentrate on improving his game going forward, especially passing and centers. Despite having some experience as centre-back in his previous team NK Osijek, Jupp Heynckes did not consider him for this position mainly because of his height (1,82 m), a factor he considers important. If Robin Dutt thinks the same will have to be seen. I expect him to break-through next season, considering that his first year was also marked by the adaptation to a new environment (did not speak any word of English or German when he arrived). *4*

Danny da Costa (RB,CB,RM): The youth player gave a solid debut with the first team against Atletico Madrid. Physically strong and versatile, I hope he gets more minutes next season despite sitting his Baccalaureate. If you look at the current squad: only Adler, Castro and Reinartz have made themselves with a regular place in the team coming from the youth section of Bayer 04. Too little, for a club that is praised nationwide for its excellent work in this area. *no rating*

MIDFIELD

Arturo Vidal (DM, RB): The Chilean played an extraordinary season with ten goals and nine assists in the league. It is no wonder that he has caught the attention of many big clubs (Bayern, Chelsea, Valencia, Atletico Madrid, Inter/AC Milan…).  Known in the past for too many aggressive fouls and cards, Arturo has managed to finish the Bundesliga season with only four yellows and one yellow-red in 33 games. His contract expires in 2012 and he has so far rejected all contract extension offers. Both Holzhäuser and Völler said recently that he will play so or so next season with us. Is this just a way to increase the price tag or are we really going to hold onto him without seeing a buck next year if he continues to reject a contract extension and signs with another team? *10*

Sidney Sam (RM,LM): One of the best newcomers in the 1.Bundesliga.  Seven goals and three assists is a dream start for him in Germany’s highest division. Jupp Heynckes preferred him to play Robben style (strong left foot) on the right side, will Dutt too? *8*

Simon Rolfes (DM): Had a couple of good games (especially the one against Wolfsburg) when he came back from his injury but in the last matches of the season declined severely and was consequently taken out of the starting line-up. A large proportion of the Fans see him inadequate for the captain role, because he often fails to deliver in big games. They want to see Michael Ballack as captain. I personally doubt that Robin Dutt will have the “balls” to change the leadership in the team.  I would welcome it, but it’s a tough decision that can affect the atmosphere in the team!   *5*

Renato Augusto (RM,OM,LM): With six goals and six assists this was his best season at Leverkusen. Playing in a central position helped him to step-up his game. Renato has learned to minimize his ball losses by avoiding risky dribbling in situations that could lead to a counter-attack. His work against the ball has also improved *9*

Lars Bender (DM): Despite having strong competitors on his position (Rolfes, Vidal and Ballack) Lars played 26 Bundesliga games and fulfilled his role regularly. A player with great prospects for the future. *7*

Hanno Balitsch (RB,DM,CB): His signing was seen skeptical by many fans at the beginning but he quickly turned this around with his fighter nature on the pitch. Great versatile back-up player! *6*

Michael Ballack (DM/OM): Chased by injuries in 2010, he has given the team some stability in the last stretch of games. Hopefully we will see next season the real Ballack giving the team a lot of goals and assists! *6*

Kevin Kampl (DM): The twenty year-old Slovenian youth player did not get a chance to play with the professional team. Future uncertain! *no rating*

Burak Kaplan (RM,LM): Was loaned out to Greuther Fürth (2.Bundesliga) in the winter-break. Despite being technically gifted, he is not making the next step given his difficult character. Jupp Heynckes more than once criticized his attitude in the training sessions. Only played four games in the Europa League in which he did not convince. At Greuther Fürth he scored three goals (all by set-piece) but his loaning spell ended with a disciplinary suspension by coach Michael Büskens which made him return to Bayer 04 earlier than expected. Will be loaned out again or sold. *2*

Tranquillo Barnetta (RM,LM): Not a great year for last-season assist leader of the Werkself. Only two goals and two assists in 24 league games are poor stats for the Swiss national player. An injury made him miss most of the second part of the season. Every year there are rumours that he might leave us, looking at the signings of Schürrle and Bellarabi his future at Bayer 04 is again uncertain. *3*

André Schürrle (LM,RM,ST): Mainz’s success this season is mainly due to his impressive year (15 goals / 5 assists). The signing will cost us 8 to 10 million euros depending on our results. *10*

Karim Bellarabi (RM,ST): This German-Moroccan 21 year-old talent of Eintracht Braunschweig was chased by a few Bundesliga clubs this season including Dortmund and Hoffenheim. Personally I never have seen him play but from what I heard he is a very quick right midfielder/striker. This season he scored in the 3.Liga eight goals and gave sixteen assists in 35 games.  He comes on a free transfer. There has been no talk about loaning him out, so he is set to be another speedy alternative on the wings next to Sidney Sam and André Schürrle. *7*

ATTACK

Eren Derdiyok (ST): Some of his six goals in the league were a real beauty, but he will want to forget this season as quickly as possible. Especially his barren run between fixture 8 and 23 (872 minutes) in which he did not score a single Bundesliga goal. Needs to improve his pressing on the rival defense and make more out of his chances.  Last week linked to FC Sevilla, I don’t think he will switch Champions League for Europa League *4*

Stefan Kießling (ST,RM): Best Werkself striker this season with seven goals and three assists. However Stefan could not confirm the great performance of last season. The long injury and formation change surely played a part but the blond striker also missed quite a lot of open chances on goal in the last games of the season which could have increased his account significantly. *5*

Nicolai Jörgensen (ST,LM,RM): While Domagoj Vida showed that he has potential, Nicolai in his nine Bundesliga and seven Europa League game did not display signs of quality. A season on loan could do him well. *2*

PLAYERS THAT WILL CONTINUE ON LOAN OR BE SOLD

Zvonko Pamic (RM,OM): He was signed last summer for 500.000 EUR from HNK Rijeka and directly loaned out to Freiburg. Despite playing a good Under-19 European Championship (3 goals and 1 assist) Robin Dutt only gave him a few minutes in two Bundesliga games. He will be loaned another year to MSV Duisburg (2.Bundesliga). *no rating*

Jens Hegeler (DM, RM,CB): Together with Bastian Oczipka the best performing Bayer 04 player on loan this season and partly responsible for Nuremberg’s success this year. He returned last summer to Leverkusen after a 1 ½ year loan spell at FC Augsburg (2.Bundesliga) and asked to be loaned out again considering that he will have it hard to obtain match practise with the signing of Michael Ballack.  Jens played all 34 Bundesliga games at Nuremberg scoring three goals and giving three assists. Although more a defensive midfielder, he has played several games on the right wing. His loan spell finishes in 2012, if Leverkusen decides to sell him Nuremberg has a preference purchase right. *7*

Lucas (CB): This 19 year-old talent is a ghost, as hardly any information is available on him.  More than a year ago Leverkusen’s scouts discovered Lucas in Brazil and decided to sign the tall center-back from Associação Portuguesa de Desportos (Sao Paulo).  Last summer, he was supposed to take part in the season preparation of the professional team and play in some friendlies. It did not happen.  In January 2011 he was sent on loan for 1 1/2 years to Kaiserslautern, where he did not play a single game nor sat on the bench this season.  The club from the Betzenberg was granted a purchase option.  *no rating*

Hajime Hosogai (DM,LB): Regarded in Japan as one of the best players of the J-League, Hajime had a hard time to find a spot on the starting line-up of Augsburg.  Only at the end of the season did he play a few games over the full distance. His loan spell ends in the June 2012. *3*

Thanos Petsos (RB,DM): The greek Under-21 player was loaned out this summer to Kaiserlautern. Normally a right-back in the youth teams of Bayer 04, he made himself with a place in the first eleven as defensive midfielder from Fixture 12 onwards. He will continue for another season at Kaiserlautern. *5*

Richard Sukuta-Pasu (ST): In his second season at St.Pauli, Richie continued to struggle.  He only got play 155 minutes in the Bundesliga (1 goal + 1 assist). His loan spell at St.Pauli ends this summer and Kaiserlautern seems to be keen on purchasing the striker. *1*

Constant Djakpa (LB,LM): Not more than a back-up player at Hannover. It is not expected that the German club will make use of the purchase option.  Bayer 04 is likely to sell him.  According to English news reports, Newcastle United is interested in the player. *2*

PLAYERS THAT LEFT US THIS SEASON

Patrick Helmes (ST): Was sold in the winter-break after disagreements with coach Jupp Heynckes over his standing in the team. Unsatisfied with the amount of minutes he got to play, the 1-striker tactical formation and the demands of doing more defensive work on the pitch, he switched to Wolfsburg for an initial fee of 5 million and 3 million euros in installments. Under coach Steve McClaren and later Felix Magath he did not manage to make an impact. Patrick only scored one goal in seven matches and was more a substitute than a starter. Magath declared in an interview that he should improve his physical condition. Personally, I am not a fan of Helmes (passive player) and think that if he wants to be successful in the future he will have to work on his weaknesses, something he has was not prepared to do in Leverkusen (kept complaining). *4*

Marcel Risse (RM,LM): The winger has grown at Mainz despite not being a regular starter. In 25 league games he scored 2 goals and gave 5 assists. Risse was loaned out at the beginning of this season and Mainz used the purchase option of 800.000 Euros to acquire him. The amount was initially higher but was then reduced in the negotiations for the Schürrle Transfer. *6*

THOUGHTS ON NEXT SEASON’S SQUAD & TACTICS

I like very much the idea of improving our wings with speedy players; this seems to be the objective with the transfers of André Schürrle and Karim Bellarabi. Under Heynckes the wingers were told to go inside and look for a finish or pass. With Robin Dutt as coach we can expect a few more centers from the goal line. The 1-striker formation (4-2-3-1) is likely to continue.  At Freiburg our new coach used successfully Cissé (22 goals) as lonely striker. Whether Kiessling or Derdiyok can deliver in similar fashion is a big question. Has it do with the tactics we played under Heynckes (not enough centres? too defensive?) that they had such a poor record or are both not made to play lonely in attack?

In the last days I have been thinking that selling Vidal would be not totally wrong.  If we really have no more room for further investments in our rather weak central defense, would it not make sense to let him leave for 20 million euros (to a foreign club, not Bayern!)? We would receive 70% of the transfer fee (Colo Colo 30%), 14 million euros and could replace for example Manuel Friedrich with a quality centre-back like Höwedes, Dante, Mertesacker.  Another option would be moving Reinartz into midfield to avoid having five centre-backs for two positions.

Hyypiä has led very well our defense in the last two years, I have my doubts that between Schwaab, Reinartz, M.Friedrich and Toprak a new leader can emerge who will coordinate our defensive line in a similar way. Against medium/bottom table teams this can be enough, but to make another step forward and play an even better season I see this configuration insufficient.

Looking forward to your comments, there is a lot to talk about ;)

Game Report: Bundesliga, Fixture 34, SC Freiburg vs Bayer Leverkusen 0:1

A good first half with a lot of intensity by the Werkself was sufficient to grab 3 points and finish runner-up in the Bundesliga.  This time the club had a reason to celebrate (not like in 1997, 1999, 2000 and 2002 in which Leverkusen dropped from the top-position) after an overall strong season which meant the return to the Champions League after 6 years.

Balitsch scored the winner with a deflection by Makiadi seconds before half-time.  Derdiyok could have decided it earlier, with a few goal opportunities in the initial half an hour.

After the break Bayer 04 decided to secure the result, only a chance by Rosenthal that hit the cross-bar could have given the last 25 minutes some breathless suspense.

Line-up: Freiburg (bottom) vs Leverkusen (top)

Substitutions Freiburg
54 min. Reisinger for Caligiuri
71 min. Jäger for Putsila
90 min. Yano for Schuster

Substitutions Leverkusen
73 min. Castro for Renato Augusto
88 min. Barnetta for Sam
90. + 1 min. Kießling for Derdiyok

Yellow Cards: Renato Augusto (Leverkusen)

Goals:
0:1 Balitsch (45 min.)

Statistics Freiburg vs Leverkusen
Posession: 50 % vs 50 %
Shots: 8 vs 13
Fouls: 8 vs 21
Corners: 1 vs 9
Offsides: 3 vs 2

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Postgame Celebrations

Around 3.000 Leverkusen Fans in Freiburg

DANKE SAMI HYYPIÄ!

Rudi Völler took Jupp Heynckes by the arm to bring him back to the Fans for a proper celebration of his two years at Bayer 04

Assistant coach Peter Hermann is also leaving to Bayern Munich

More pictures @ 1904-online.de

Game Report: Bundesliga, Fixture 33, Bayer Leverkusen vs Hamburg SV 1:1

Bayer 04 showed nerves and will have to gain at least a point in the last match in Freiburg to keep the second position in case Bayern wins against Stuttgart.

Westermann scored early for Hamburg (2 min.) after René Adler failed to clear a free-kick properly. It was not his only bad intervention in this game and in previous ones, seems like the contract extension talks are making him lose focus.

It took quite a while till the Werkself recovered from this early shock and Bayern’s goal festival which was announced on the scoreboard in the BayArena. Kiessling could have evened the match in the 21st minute but his goal was ruled offside, a centimeter decision!

10 minutes later, Sami Hyypiä had to be substituted due to knee problems (33 min.). A wide sector of the BayArena thought that this substitution was not based on an injury and proceeded to shout “Get lost Heynckes” & “Gipsy Heynckes” as it was Hyypiä’s last home game and the second spot was endangered.

Barnetta had an attempt on goal before half-time but his shot went over the goal of Frank Rost. Both teams went to changing rooms with a loud booing from the crowd in the BayArena. During half-time goalkeeper coach Rüdiger Vollborn approached the fans in the Nordkurve to tell them that Hyypiä had an injury and the team needed their full support during the second half. 

The Werkself improved after the break and found the equalizer in the boots of Stefan Kiessling (54 min.), whose lousy shot fooled Hamburg’s goalkeeper. In the remaining 35 minutes, Bayer searched the winner but was not able to find it. Arturo Vidal had the best chance with a nice volley (81 min), but only hit the post. Hamburg was not innocent at any time and Leverkusen’s defense invited them to a couple of counter-attacks with numeric superiority. The draw was therefore a fair result for both teams.

The management of Bayer 04 is thinking about firing Heynckes before the last game against Freiburg according to the Express Newspaper. The team from Breisgau is also considering the same to avoid a conflict of interest surrounding our future coach Robin Dutt.

I will keep you posted in the social networks on any new developments!

Line-up: Leverkusen (top) vs Hamburg (bottom)

Substitutions Leverkusen
33 min. Derdiyok for Hyypiä
57 min. Ballack for Rolfes
57 min. Sam for Barnetta

Substitutions Hamburg
60 min. Pitroipa for Son
71 min. Ben-Hatira for Jarolim
78 min. Benjamin for Diekmeier

Yellow Cards: Vidal (Leverkusen); Jarolim, Guerrero, Westermann (all Hamburg)

Goals:
0:1 Westermann (2 min.)
1:1 Kießling (54 min.)

Statistics Leverkusen vs Hamburg
Posession: 67 % vs 33 %
Shots: 13 vs 11
Fouls: 14 vs 23
Corners: 5 vs 3
Offsides: 4 vs 3

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Vollborn calming the fans during half-time

Hyypiä Farewell was ruined. Only a few players came out after the match to say goodbye in front of the fans. They were angry over the support received in the last games

More photos @ 1904-online.de

Match Preview: Bundesliga, Fixture 33, Bayer Leverkusen vs Hamburg SV

Saturday, 07/05/2011 @ 15:30 (GMT+2)

With two matches left in the Bundesliga, Bayer 04 needs to add 2 points to secure the second spot which grants the direct qualification for the Champions League.  This is assuming that Bayern wins their 2 games.

Why can we be optmistic that the Werkself will secure the second place on this match-day?

• Six straight wins in the BayArena: while in the first part of the season we lost a lot of points at home, we have regained our home strength in 2011. Away we have suffered 2 straight losses: Bayern & Cologne
• Hamburg is not fighting for anything, they are 8th in the table and have no chance to qualify for the Europa League
• Our opponent will miss important players like Mathijsen, Jansen, Zé Roberto, Petric and Van Nistelrooy
• The two last games between both teams have ended with a 4:2 win for Leverkusen

Or will we choke again to make it interesting till the last match-day? Would not be the first time that we show nerves on the last metres.

It would be a huge blow! Not only could we celebrate in the BayArena our return to the Champions League six year after and avoid a final in which I certainly would not bet my money on Leverkusen (psychological advantage would be with Bayern). Legend Sami Hyypiä who is retiring as a player would have this way a nice farewell in front of the home crowd. Jupp Heynckes despite departing to Bayern Munich, should also get some recognition for reaching the objectives set by the management (2009/10: Europa League; 2010/11: Champions League). 

Line-up

Ballack will not find himself in the starting line-up for the first time after 7 consecutive games. No idea what is behind this, as he certainly played well in his last appearances. However after the Cologne game which made Dortmund champion he said the following: “It could be that we are missing luck, perhaps willingness. If we review the season, nearly every time we had the chance to come closer to Dortmund, we failed to do our part. The team has to believe, that they can reach higher objectives. This club needs to win something, to get rid of this Vizekusen image so that this belief in achieving the highest possible returns to the changing rooms. We have certainly in the team, players that will raise their voice and who want more.”
Something totally opposite to the management and the coach himself, they congratulated Dortmund and said that that the chase was seen as mission impossible, too much had to happen (The comfort-zone says hello).

Or maybe the coach just wants to give Renato Augusto the central role in midfield to improve the dynamics upfield? Rolfes (not Ballack) will be nominated by Joachim Löw for the upcoming games of the Nationalmannschaft. The Bayer-04 captain is set to return to the starting line-up and should play next to Vidal in defensive midfield. 

Line-up Hamburg (from Kicker):
Rost – Diekmeier,Kacar,Westermann,Aogo – Jarolim,Trochowski – Pitroipa,Elia – B.Hatira, Guerrero

Will we decide it on Saturday or do we have to pray to the football god on the last fixture?

Game Report: Bundesliga, Fixture 32, 1.FC Cologne vs Bayer Leverkusen 2:0

A double strike from Milivoje Novakovic ended Bayer Leverkusen’s t**le hopes once and for all as bitter rivals Koln recorded a crucial 2-0 win in Volker Finke’s first game in charge. The victory gives the Billy Goats much needed breathing space in the relegation battle and helps confirm Borussia Dortmund as German champions after it defeated Nurnberg.

The all important goal for Koln came in the 67th minute. Miso Brecko, with the aid of a slight deflection, picked out the run of Novakovic in behind the Leverkusen defense. The Slovenian striker kept his cool against Rene Adler to lift the ball over the advancing Leverkusen goalkeeper and high into the net, to spark jubilant celebrations in both Koln and Dortmund. It was his fifteenth, and most important goal, of the campaign.

If the reaction was fervent after the first goal, the stadium erupted when Novakovic doubled the home side’s lead to crush Leverkusen. Petit’s free-kick was beaten away by Adler, who should have done better, into the path of Novakovic, who reacted the quickest to bundle the ball into the net.

After a quiet start, Petit and Novakovic combined on 13 minutes to rob Sami Hyypia. Lukas Podolski then took up the baton but his far post cross from the left evaded the sliding Novakovic. Leverkusen’s best chance of an otherwise uneventful opening 45 minutes came through Gonzalo Castro who volleyed wide after superbly controlling Michael Ballack’s ball forward.

The visitors came close on 51 minutes. Renato Augusto threaded a terrific ball through to Stefan Kiessling, who struck the crossbar with Michael Rensing beaten. Soon after, Miso Brecko broke down the right but once more Novakovic was unable to make contact with the low cross into the danger area.

Michael Rensing has been an excellent acquisition for the hosts and he came good again on 63 minutes. Michal Kadlec’s cross was nodded on by Kiessling into the path of Ballack inside the six-yard box. A goal looked certain but Rensing produced a superb reflex save to deny the veteran, to the delight of the home fans for whom Ballack is hardly a favorite.

Leverkusen was frustrated in its quest for an equalizer as nothing went the way of Jupp Heynckes’ men. Not even Rensing could get a hand to Renato Augusto’s fizzing 76th minute shot, which struck the post and rolled along the line before Pedro Geromel’s clearance. The visitors had the stuffing knocked out of them after Koln’s second and though Kadlec went close, it just was not Bayer Leverkusen’s day.

Eight points behind Dortmund with two games to play, a forlorn Leverkusen hosts Hamburg next week while Koln, which is still not assured of safety, face a relegation six-pointer in the Commerzbank Arena against Christoph Daum’s Eintracht Frankfurt.

Source (for line-ups follow link): Goal.com

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