Club Haberleri

Bayer 04 Leverkusen: Hradecky – Kossounou, Tah, Tapsoba, Hincapie – Andrich – Frimpong, Wirtz, Bakker – Diaby (62. Adli), Hlozek (62. Azmoun) 

“The opportunity has arisen for Soumi to get match practice at domestic and international level in Antwerp. Since we currently cannot guarantee him this match practice in the centre-back position, we have agreed to his request to go out on loan,” explained BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl, who went on to add: “Soumi has always contributed fully with his positive energy. We wish him all the best for the coming campaign in Belgium and the upcoming qualifying round for the UEFA Champions League.”

SV Werder Bremen came out on top in their opening home fixture of the calendar year in a 3-1 victory over SC Freiburg on Saturday afternoon, which was their second win on the trot. Marvin Ducksch converted a penalty to open the scoring for the Green-Whites in the first-half (9’), which the visitors responded to not long after with an equaliser from the spot by Vincenzo Grifo (28’). SVW then siezed control of the game after the break. Justin Njinmah fired home from range, followed by a solo goal from debutant Julían Malatini to round off a courageous performance in front of the home crowd.

Head coach Jess Thorup made just one change to his team following last weekend’s 2-1 away win against Borussia Mönchengladbach. New signing Kristijan Jakic started in defensive midfield and made his first start for the Függestädter. 

After winning both their last two Bundesliga home games against the record champions, Augsburg looked as though they would be able to do the same today. A shot from Ermedin Demirović hit Matthijs de Ligt on the arm, with referee Christian Dingert initially pointing to the spot. The handball had occurred just outside of the box, however, and VAR corrected the decision to a free kick, but FCA weren’t able to capitalise (6′). Six minutes later, the hosts thought they had taken the lead after Elvis Rexhbecaj smashed home a shot after Demirović had flicked on a cross, but it was then ruled out due to offside (12′). 

The record champions then went on to take the lead from a set piece. Leon Goretzka redirected a corner so that it fell to the feet of youngster Aleksander Pavlović, who only had to tap in the opener (23′). Up until that point, the hosts had been the ones to carve out the majority of chances. The match was sold out, with a total of 30,660 spectators in attendance. FCA then conceded once more just before the break, as Alphonso Davies thumped home a shot from outside the box (45’+5).

“I had my best time at Bayern when Hansi was the coach; we won everything.” Lewandowski said (Sport Bild’s Tobi Altschäffl via @iMiaSanMia). “I realized my dream of winning the Champions League. We simply marched on, regardless of the team we were facing. It was a great, great time.”

SC made two changes to their starting XI following last weekend’s win over Hoffenheim. Lukas Kübler replaced Manuel Gulde (suspended), while Noah Weißhaupt came into the side for Roland Sallai (ill). Bremen came into the game without their match-winner from last weekend’s trip to Munich, with Mitchell Weiser sidelined with an adductor issue. The opening moments of the match saw the hosts record several attacks before being awarded a penalty in the seventh minute. Jordi Makengo was judged to have brought down his man after making contact with his opponent’s heel, with VAR coming into play to award Bremen a spot-kick. Marvin Ducksch duly stepped up and converted it to give them the lead. “We didn’t get off to a good start,” admitted Maximilian Eggestein afterwards.

The substitutes: Philipp, Adams, Jurásek, Bülter, Skov, Conté, Bischof, Tohumcu

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