A miss from the penalty spot marks the end of a devastating week for the Werkself. Gerardo Seoane doesn’t have much time to refocus his team
It was a tough six days for the Werkself, who had started the season so strongly under their new coach. First the 2:2 in the hot derby in Cologne after a 2:0 lead, i.e. a perceived defeat. Then the exit in the DFB Cup against the second-division team Karlsruher SC despite a large number of clear goal-scoring opportunities. And finally, the 0:2 against VfL Wolfsburg, garnished by a whistle concert from the stands.
Somehow it was indicative of the hosts’ mediocre performance how Lucas Alario missed the penalty in injury time. The Argentina striker, himself fouled, laid on the ball but shot so weakly and without conviction that Wolfsburg goalkeeper Koen Casteels was able to parry almost effortlessly. No conviction: This was in keeping with the Werkself’s entire performance on this dreary Saturday.
It was one of two, at most three scoring opportunities for Leverkusen, who have so much talent on the offensive that they should at least be in promising positions to score more often. Because they also fumbled in crucial situations in their own penalty area, Leverkusen conceded a nasty home defeat that raises the usual questions about the quality and stability of this young squad.
Double blow blows Werkself away
Because it was also clear to see that Wolfsburg’s double blow after half-time simply blew this squad over, they could hardly muster up any orderly resistance. “The team can do it, and they can cope with these oppositions,” claims coach Gerardo Seoane. “This squad not only has talent, but also will.”
The frustration of the fans, says the Swiss champion coach, “is just part of it, we are self-critical enough.” The coach, who celebrated his 43rd birthday on Saturday, gave his team Sunday off, saying the players should “gather energy and the necessary confidence in their own ability. “
If possible, that should be called upon again on Thursday in the Europa League against Real Betis and next Sunday in the Bundesliga away game at Hertha BSC. “After all,” said managing director Rudi Völler, “we are still fourth in the Bundesliga and top of the table in our Europa League group. “
Four defeats against VfL – and 2:10 goals
Should mean: Not that much happened. But of course the team’s condition in a game like the one against Wolfsburg doesn’t give the former world-class striker much pleasure. In this respect, they at Bayer hope that the performances will stabilise again soon with the return of experienced players.
The team still has to muddle through until the international break, after which goal scorer Patrik Schick and midfield strategist Charles Aranguiz are expected back after their injuries. Both are enormously important as leaders on the pitch and, of course, also bring great individual quality to the pitch.
Before the clash at the BayArena, both teams were a little banged up, Wolfsburg now taking off with new coach Florian Kohfeldt. By the way, the Champions League participant has become a sort of fearful opponent for the Werkself. Bayer lost their last four home games against VfL Wolfsburg with a goal difference of 2:10.
