Bayer Step Out Of The Shadows

First Team
Friday, 14.12.2007 / 17:52

As Bayer 04 Leverkusen sent Hansa Rostock packing last weekend with a 3:0 drubbing, a reporter from German television broadcaster DSF could hardly have been more flattering as he declared:...

As Bayer 04 Leverkusen sent Hansa Rostock packing last weekend with a 3:0 drubbing, a reporter from German television broadcaster DSF could hardly have been more flattering as he declared: „That is the most wonderful football that the Bundesliga has to offer”, before adding knowingly, “Naturally after Werder Bremen.”

 

The television commentator will be will be on hand again this Saturday, 15.12.2007, to follow the game of his two favourite footballing teams and following Werder’s crash in Hanover, this particular meeting takes on a whole new meaning. Bayer coach Michael Skibbe and his team have shot from out of nowhere and on match day 16, find themselves just three points adrift of the Green-Whites. “They were hiding in the shadows, collecting their points and suddenly a team like that can find themselves up at the top”, remarked Werder trainer Thomas Schaaf, rubbing his eyes rhetorically.

 

Taking a closer look, it’s no real wonder that the Rheinland club have managed to climb into fourth place in the table. Having recovered from some teething problems at the beginning of the season, the factory club have apparently found their footing and have won the last five games in a row. The ‘Bayer-Boys’ have impressed both in front of their own fans as they have on their travels with a mixture of fast and flowing football. “They have proven that they can play some really good football”, admitted Schaaf. Skibbe’s men have also proven they are not totally dependent on just an individual and have been able to cover for the loss of German international Bernd Schneider since the fifth match day of the season. During Schneider’s absence, the others around him have stepped up to provide the ideas and create chances.

 

Aside from in form, young keeper René Adler and ex-Werder man Simon Rolfes, who is having an excellent season at the heart of the midfield, other have also made themselves noticed. The role behind the strikers has become a focal point in the Leverkusen game with the experienced veteran Sergej Barbarez, who is expected to return after injury to face Bremen, developing a very productive understanding with German international Stefan Kießling, back after suspension. Up front along with the impressively productive duo, there is striker and last season’s top scorer in the league Theofanis Gekas, who has overcome initial difficulties at his new club and settled on the Rhein: “He still needs to learn that the competition is tougher here than it was in Bochum”, explained Michael Skibbe. The Grek striker has scored eight goals since joining Bayer from VfL Bochum.

 

The club’s sport director was clever in stabilising the defence too. Ex-German national coach Rüdi Völler tempted former Bremen player Manuel Friedrich away from Mainz and to Leverkusen. The wide positions have also been well covered by the introductions of Chilli’s Arturo Vidal and Serdar Sarpei who has been enjoying a new lease of life at Bayer. A glance at the table is enough to show that the new back-line have quickly slotted together. Until the seventh match day, Bayer conceded just three goals and by the 17th game of the season had eleven goals against them. That is the second best defence in German football behind league leaders Bayern Munich. In addition, only two sides in the league have scored more and one of them is Saturday’s opponent from Bremen.

 

With that in mind, coach Skibbe is wary of the offensive power of the hosts on the final match day of 2007 at the Weser Stadium: “We will have to be very cautious, especially at the back whilst bravely attempting to attack.” His opposite number, Thomas Schaaf declared: “It’s the final Bundesliga game of the year and we will be doing all in our power to provide the fans with an enjoyable afternoons football to finish off the year.” The reporter from DSF will be happy to hear what the coaches have had to say before the game.

 

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