A German Tale: Leverkusen On the Rise - Presented by BigJdotcom01

[bigjdotcom01]

I am back as I have picked up FIFA 21 and will be heading back to the Bundesliga this year to run with Bayer 04 Leverkusen. I have run dynasties back in FIFA 14 with Hambuger SV and FIFA 16 in the Bundesliga with Borussia Monchengladbach, then went with La Liga side RCD Espanyol in FIFA 19.

I make my return to the Bundesliga this year with a side that has never been crowned champion in Leverkusen. They have finished runner up five times (1997, 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2011). The club has won one DFB-Pokal (1993), and finished runner up three times (2002, 2009, 2020).

The club has enjoyed some European success, winning the UEFA Cup in 1998 and finishing runner up in the Champions League in 2002.


We will be using Operation Sports Community Sliders on the World Class setting. Defense seems near impossible for me this year on this setting but it is way too easy playing on Professional so we will just deal with it. This is purely fictional and as far as I am concerned, once this dynasty starts, we move forward in that universe.

If you have followed any of my dynasties they are basically just meat and potatoes recaps that help to keep me invested in the club. So just sit back and I hope that you enjoy.

2020-21 SEASON
The Down Low on Die Werkself:

MANAGER: Mister Ninja
CAREER RECORD: (0-0-0)
STADIUM: BayArena (Capacity: 30,810)
RIVALS: 1. FC Koln
TRANSFER BUDGET: $54,236,440
CLUB WORTH: $515,017,000
WEEKLY WAGE BUDGET: $393,000
EXPECTATIONS: Win DFB-Pokal; Champions League spot in Bundesliga; Win UEFA Europa League

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Re: A German Tale: Leverkusen On the Rise - Presented by BigJdotcom01

BAYER LEVERKUSEN RIVALS:

2020-21 Bundesliga Record: (15-4-15, 49 pts) 8th place
2021-22 Bundesliga Record: (18-7-9, 61 pts) 5th place
2022-23 Bundesliga Record: (10-2-3, 32 pts) 3rd place

Home: (34-8-17)
Away: (35-6-18)
Neutral: (10-3-5)

DFB-Pokal Record: (6-0-2)
Champions League Record: (4-0-4)
Europa League Record: (17-1-3)
2020 European International Cup: (2-1-2, Lost in Final)
2021 South American Continental Cup: (3-1-1, Lost in Final)
2022 Champions Cup: (4-1-0, Champion)



AJAX (2-0-0)
February 17, 2021: Ajax 2:3 Leverkusen (Europa League, Round of 32)
February 24, 2021: Leverkusen 4:1 Ajax (Europa League, Round of 32)


ARMINIA BIELEFELD (1-1-2)
October 17, 2020: Leverkusen 0:4 Arminia Bielefeld
February 28, 2021: Arminia Bielefeld 5:1 Leverkusen
December 19, 2021: Leverkusen 5:0 Arminia Bielefeld
April 3, 2022: Arminia Bielefeld 2:2 Leverkusen


ARSENAL (1-1-0)
April 29, 2021: Arsenal 0:1 Leverkusen (Europa League, Semifinal)
May 6, 2021: Leverkusen 0:0 Arsenal (Europa League, Semifinal)


ATALANTA (2-0-1)
July 8, 2020: Leverkusen 4:0 Atalanta (European International Cup)
September 14, 2021: Leverkusen 1:2 Atalanta (Champions League)
November 21, 2021: Atalanta 0:3 Leverkusen (Champions League)


ATLETICO MINEIRO (1-0-0)
July 4, 2021: Leverkusen 3:2 Atletico Mineiro (South American Continental Cup)


AUGSBURG (4-1-1)
August 22, 2020: Leverkusen 1:4 Augsburg
March 29, 2021: Augsburg 2:3 Leverkusen
November 20, 2021: Leverkusen 2:1 Augsburg
April 22, 2022: Augsburg 1:2 Leverkusen
November 6, 2022: Leverkusen 1:1 Augsburg
November 30, 2022: Leverkusen 2:1 Augsburg (DFB-Pokal)
February 4, 2023:


AZ ALKMAAR (0-0-0)
February 16, 2023:
February 23, 2023:


BAYERN MUNICH (2-0-4)
September 20, 2020: Bayern Munich 2:1 Leverkusen
April 18, 2021: Leverkusen 0:2 Bayern Munich
May 22, 2021: Leverkusen 2:4 Bayern Munich (DFB-Pokal Final)
December 11, 2021: Bayern Munich 3:2 Leverkusen
February 13, 2022: Leverkusen 4:0 Bayern Munich
October 9, 2022: Leverkusen 4:0 Bayern Munich
March 1, 2023:


BORUSSIA DORTMUND (0-0-5)
December 5, 2020: Leverkusen 0:5 Dortmund
February 13, 2021: Dortmund 2:0 Leverkusen
December 15, 2021: Dortmund 3:0 Leverkusen
February 4, 2022: Leverkusen 0:2 Dortmund
September 24, 2022: Dortmund 5:0 Leverkusen
February 11, 2023:


BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH (6-0-1)
September 26, 2020: Leverkusen 3:1 Monchengladbach
April 8, 2021: Leverkusen 6:1 Monchengladbach (Europa League, Quarterfinal)
April 11, 2021: Monchengladbach 1:7 Leverkusen
April 15, 2021: Monchengladbach 1:0 Leverkusen (Europa League, Quarterfinal)
October 31, 2021: Leverkusen 4:0 Monchengladbach
April 10, 2022: Monchengladbach 1:3 Leverkusen
August 20, 2022: Leverkusen 4:3 Monchengladbach
March 19, 2023:


BRONDBY IF (2-0-0)
September 15, 2022: Brondby IF 1:3 Leverkusen (Europa League)
November 24, 2022: Leverkusen 1:0 Brondby IF (Europa League)


DINAMO ZAGREB (1-0-1)
October 21, 2021: Leverkusen 1:4 Dinamo Zagreb (Champions League)
November 2, 2021: Dinamo Zagreb 1:4 Leverkusen (Champions League)


EINTRACHT FRANKFURT (2-1-2)
October 25, 2020: Eintracht Frankfurt 1:0 Leverkusen
December 2, 2020: Leverkusen 4:0 Eintracht Frankfurt (DFB-Pokal)
January 23, 2021: Leverkusen 2:4 Eintracht Frankfurt
October 16, 2021: Leverkusen 3:3 Eintracht Frankfurt
May 7, 2022: Eintracht Frankfurt 0:1 Leverkusen
December 17, 2022:
May 7, 2023:


EVERTON (1-0-0)
July 14, 2021: Leverkusen 1:0 Everton (South American Continental Cup - Semifinals)


FORTUNA DUSSELDORF (3-1-1)
October 28, 2020: Leverkusen 3:0 Fortuna Dusseldorf (DFB-Pokal)
October 27, 2021: Fortuna Dusseldorf 2:1 Leverkusen (DFB-Pokal)
November 6, 2021: Fortuna Dusseldorf 1:3 Leverkusen
May 1, 2022: Leverkusen 2:2 Fortuna Dusseldorf
September 18, 2022: Fortuna Dusseldorf 1:3 Leverkusen
February 19, 2023:


SC FREIBURG (3-0-0)
December 16, 2020: Leverkusen 3:1 SC Freiburg
April 23, 2021: SC Freiburg 2:3 Leverkusen
November 26, 2022: Leverkusen 4:1 SC Freiburg
January 31, 2023: (DFB-Pokal)
March 11, 2023:


HAMBURGER SV (0-1-1)
September 11, 2021: Leverkusen 1:1 Hamburger SV
February 19, 2022: Hamburger SV 2:1 Leverkusen


HAMILTON ACADEMICAL (2-0-0)
September 17, 2020: Leverkusen 4:0 Hamilton Academical 0 (Europa League)
November 26, 2020: Hamilton Academical 1:3 Leverkusen (Europa League)


HANNOVER 96 (1-0-0)
August 12, 2022: Hannover 96 1:7 Leverkusen
April 1, 2023:


1. FC HEIDENHEIM (1-0-0)
October 25, 2022: FC Heidenheim 1:5 Leverkusen (DFB-Pokal)


HERTHA BERLIN (3-0-2)
December 19, 2020: Hertha Berlin 2:0 Leverkusen
May 8, 2021: Leverkusen 1:0 Hertha Berlin
November 28, 2021: Hertha Berlin 2:1 Leverkusen
January 29, 2022: Leverkusen 2:1 Hertha Berlin
October 22, 2022: Leverkusen 3:0 Hertha Berlin
January 22, 2023:


TSG 1899 HOFFENHEIM (3-0-2)
August 29, 2020: Hoffenheim 0:1 Leverkusen
February 5, 2021: Leverkusen 1:0 Hoffenheim
September 18, 2021: Hoffenheim 2:0 Leverkusen
March 6, 2022: Leverkusen 4:0 Hoffenheim
September 9, 2022: Leverkusen 1:2 Hoffenheim
April 7, 2023:


INTER MILAN (0-0-1)
July 19, 2020: Leverkusen 3:4 Inter Milan (European International Cup - Final)


1 FC KOLN (2-0-2)
October 4, 2020: FC Koln 0:2 Leverkusen
March 3, 2021: Leverkusen 2:3 FC Koln
October 24, 2021: FC Koln 0:3 Leverkusen
April 16, 2022: Leverkusen 2:3 FC Koln
December 13, 2022:
April 22, 2023:


LAZIO (0-0-1)
July 12, 2020: Leverkusen 4:6 Lazio (European International Cup)


LOSC (1-0-1)
September 29, 2022: Leverkusen 2:1 Lille (Europa League)
December 8, 2022: Lille 7:1 Leverkusen (Europa League)


LIVERPOOL (1-1-1)
August 11, 2021: Liverpool 2:2 (4:3) Leverkusen (UEFA Super Cup)
September 29, 2021: Liverpool 1:2 Leverkusen (Champions League)
December 7, 2021: Leverkusen 1:4 Liverpool (Champions League)


FSV MAINZ 05 (3-1-1)
November 21, 2020: Leverkusen 1:2 FSV Mainz 05
March 6, 2021: FSV Mainz 05 4:4 Leverkusen
August 15, 2021: FSV Mainz 05 2:3 Leverkusen
March 19, 2022: Leverkusen 3:1 FSV Mainz 05
December 3, 2022: Mainz 05 2:3 Leverkusen
March 4, 2023:


MANCHESTER UNITED (0-0-1)
July 18, 2021: Leverkusen 1:3 Manchester United (South American Continental Cup - Final)


MONTERREY (1-0-0)
July 6, 2022: Leverkusen 6:1 Monterrey (Champions Cup)


NAPOLI (0-0-0)
July 17, 2022: (Champions Cup - Final)


PALMIERAS (1-0-0)
July 13, 2022: Leverkusen 3:1 Palmeiras (Champions Cup - Semifinal)


REAL MADRID (1-0-1)
February 16, 2022: Leverkusen 1:0 Real Madrid (Champions League - Round of 16)
March 8, 2022: Real Madrid 3:1 Leverkusen (Champions League - Round of 16)


REAL SOCIEDAD (3-0-0)
March 11, 2021: Leverkusen 3:2 Real Sociedad (Europa League - Round of 16)
March 18, 2021: Real Sociedad 1:4 Leverkusen (Europa League - Round of 16)
July 7, 2021: Real Sociedad 0:1 Leverkusen (South American Continental Cup)


RB LEIPZIG (4-2-1)
November 29, 2020: RB Leipzig 1:6 Leverkusen
February 20, 2021: Leverkusen 0:4 RB Leipzig
April 21, 2021: RB Leipzig 1:2 Leverkusen (DFB-Pokal Semifinal)
May 26, 2021: Leverkusen 5:3 (A.E.T.) RB Leipzig (Europa League, Final)
September 26, 2021: Leverkusen 1:1 RB Leipzig
March 1, 2022: RB Leipzig 2:5 Leverkusen
August 28, 2022: RB Leipzig 1:1 Leverkusen
April 15, 2023:


SCHALKE 04 (1-1-3)
November 8, 2020: Schalke 04 1:3 Leverkusen
March 13, 2021: Leverkusen 0:2 Schalke 04
December 5, 2021: Leverkusen 2:3 Schalke 04
January 23, 2022: Schalke 04 3:3 Leverkusen
October 29, 2022: Schalke 04 2:0 Leverkusen
May 13, 2023:


SIVASSPOR (1-0-1)
October 1, 2020: Sivasspor 0:3 Leverkusen (Europa League)
December 10, 2020: Leverkusen 2:3 Sivasspor (Europa League)


SL BENFICA (0-2-0)
July 5, 2020: Leverkusen 3:3 Benfica (European International Cup)
July 3, 2022: Leverkusen 1:1 SL Benfica (Champions Cup)


VFB STUTTGART (3-0-0)
August 15, 2020: Leverkusen 4:2 Stuttgart
April 3, 2021: Stuttgart 0:2 Leverkusen
December 10, 2022: Leverkusen 3:2 Stuttgart
April 29, 2023:


SV SANDHAUSEN (1-0-0)
February 2, 2021: Leverkusen 3:1 SV Sandhausen (DFB- Pokal)


TIGRES UNAL (1-0-0)
July 10, 2022: Leverkusen 2:1 Tigres UNAL (Champions Cup)


UNION BERLIN (4-0-0)
September 12, 2020: Leverkusen 2:1 Union Berlin
January 31, 2021: Union Berlin 1:5 Leverkusen
August 21, 2021: Leverkusen 2:1 Union Berlin
March 12, 2022: Union Berlin 0:3 Leverkusen


VIKTORIA PLZEN (2-0-0)
October 20, 2022: Viktoria Plzen 0:5 Leverkusen (Europa League)
November 3, 2022: Leverkusen 4:1 Viktoria Plzen (Europa League)


WARTA POZNAN (2-0-0)
October 22, 2020: Leverkusen 3:1 Warta Poznan (Europa League)
November 5, 2020: Warta Poznan 0:3 Leverkusen (Eurpoa League)


WERDER BREMEN (2-2-1)
October 31, 2020: Leverkusen 0:0 Werder Bremen
May 15, 2021: Werder Bremen 2:0 Leverkusen
October 2, 2021: Werder Bremen 0:0 Leverkusen
May 14, 2022: Leverkusen 3:0 Werder Bremen
November 19, 2022: Werder Bremen 0:1 Leverkusen
January 28, 2023:


VFL WOLFSBURG (2-2-1)
December 13, 2020: VfL Wolfsburg 1:1 Leverkusen
May 2, 2021: Leverkusen 0:0 VfL Wolfsburg
August 28, 2021: VfL Wolfsburg 4:2 Leverkusen
February 25, 2022: Leverkusen 3:2 VfL Wolfsburg
October 16, 2022: VfL Wolfsburg 0:2 Leverkusen
February 26, 2023:


WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (0-2-0)
July 15, 2020: Leverkusen 1:1(3:2) Wolverhampton (European International Cup - Semifinal)
July 11, 2021: Leverkusen 2:2 Wolverhampton (South American Continental Cup)

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Re: A German Tale: Leverkusen On the Rise - Presented by BigJdotcom01

LEVERKUSEN HISTORY

2020-21 EUROPA LEAGUE CHAMPIONS


2022 CHAMPIONS CUP CHAMPIONS

2020-21 Season:
Bundesliga: (15-4-15, 49 pts) 8th Position
DFB Pokal: Runner Up (Lost in Final to Bayern Munich 4:2)
Europa League: Champion (Defeated RB Leipzig in Final 5-3)
MVP: Patrik Schick, ST APP: 45, Goals: 35, Assists: 19, MOTM: 7
Recap: While Leverkusen had a disappointing Bundesliga finish in 8th position with a .500 record, they made the final in the DFB-Pokal, losing to Bayern for a second consecutive year. The highlight was winning the Europa League for the second time in club history to automatically qualify for the 2021-22 Champions League, defeating RB Leipzig 5-3.

2021-22 Season:
Bundesliga: (18-7-9, 61 pts) 5th Position
DFB Pokal: Second Round (Lost to Dusseldorf 2:1)
Champions League: Round of 16 (Lost to Real Madrid on aggregate, 3-2)
MVP: Patrik Schick, ST APP: 36, Goals: 27, Assists: 16, MOTM: 7
Recap: Bayer Leverkusen capped off a relatively successful Bundesliga campaign in 2021-22, finishing in fifth position and earning a spot in the 2022-23 Europa League. While this did fall short of Board of Director expectations, it can still be considered successful. The team improved by 12 points going from 49 points and an eighth place finish, up to 61 points and a spot in Europe. The team made it to the round of 16 in the Champions League where they were ousted by Real Madrid. Once again, un realistic Board expectations were not met, but to finish as one of the best 16 club teams in Europe is quite the accomplishment. The team was upset in the second round of the DFB-Pokal by rival Fortuna Dusseldorf. The pain should be a bt less though as Dusseldorf advanced all the way to the final where they lost to FC Bayern Munich..



2020-21 Season:
Bundesliga Champion: FC Bayern Munich
DFB-Pokal Champion: FC Bayern Munich
Champions League: Liverpool (defeated PSG)
Europa League: Bayer Leverkusen (defeated RB Leipzig)
Relegated to Bundesliga 2: SC Freiburg, VfB Stuttgart
Promoted to Bundesliga: Fortuna Dusseldorf, Hamburger SV
Player of the Year: Erling Haaland (Dortmund)
Keeper of the Year: Peter Gulacsi (RB Leipzig)
Golden Boot: Erling Haaland (Dortmund), 23 goals
Manager of the Year: Hans-Dieter Flick (Bayern Munich)

2021-22 Season:
Bundesliga Champion: FC Bayern Munich
DFB-Pokal Champion: FC Bayern Munich
Champions League: FC Bayern Munich (defeated RB Leipzig)
Europa League: Roma FC (Defeated Manchester United)
Relegated to Bundesliga 2: Hamburger SV, Union Berlin, Arminia Bielefeld
Promoted to Bundesliga: SC Freiburg, VfB Stuttgart, Hannover 96
Player of the Year: Thomas Muller (FC Bayern)
Keeper of the Year: Manuel Neuer (FC Bayern)
Golden Boot: Erling Haaland (Dortmund), 23 goals
Manager of the Year: Hans-Dieter Flick (Bayern Munich)

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Re: A German Tale: Leverkusen On the Rise - Presented by BigJdotcom01

2020-21 Preseason Roster

FORMATION: 4-3-3 HOLDING

This is the preseason roster for Leverkusen. Manager Mister Ninja likes to attack through the midfield and will try to shape this side into a 4-5-1 Attack side as we move forward. I am no expert on football formations, but I enjoy using this one.

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Re: A German Tale: Leverkusen On the Rise - Presented by BigJdotcom01

Leverkusen will open the inaugural season under new manager Mister Ninja in England at the European International Cup Tournament. They will be grouped with Lazio (Italy), SL Benfica (Portugal), and Atalanta (Italy). The others participating are: Inter Milan (Italy), Wolverhampton Wanderers (England), Everton (England) and Leicester City (England)

Highlights of their Bundesliga schedule are their rivalry games with 1. FC Koln, away on October 4, and home on March 3. They face off with Bundesliga favorites Bayern Munchen away on September 20 and home on April 17, while facing Dortmand at home on December 5 and away on February 13.

The club will also be participating in the 2020-21 UEFA Europa League after finishing fifth in the Bundesliga in 2019-20. They have been drawn into Group J with Sivasspor (Turkey), Hamilton (Scotland), and Warta Poznan (Poland). The group stage begins on September 17 and they open at home against Hamilton.

The club will begin in the second round of the DFB-Pokal which is tentatively scheduled for December 22-23, 2020.

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Re: A German Tale: Leverkusen On the Rise - Presented by BigJdotcom01

Leverkusen's Board has made youth development a high priority moving forward. The club has put Thei Seidel in charge of youth scouting. The five-star scout will concentrate on home grown youth and has a nine month assignment to find the next German star.

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Re: A German Tale: Leverkusen On the Rise - Presented by BigJdotcom01

EUROPEAN INTERNATIONAL CUP RECAP

Inter Milan took home the hardware with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Leverkusen

England (AP) - Bayer Leverkusen accepted an invitation to the prestigious European International Cup tournament in England to work on their preseason training with their new manger Mister Ninja. They would advance all the way to the finals but fell just short dropping a 4-3 decision to Italian power Inter Milan.

Leverkusen would advance through the group stage going (1-1-1). They would open with a 3:3 draw against SL Benfica. They would take apart Italian side Atalanta in their second group match 4-nil as Lucas Alario scored three times. Leverkusen stumbled in the group stage finale, falling 6-4 to Lazio in a wild match. Manager Ninja said afterwards that the club needs to be stronger on the back end and it was a concern moving forward.

Leverkusen would draw with Wolverhampton in the semifinals, but would advance on penalties (3:2).

In the final, Inter put on a masterful offensive display, led by Romelu Lukaku. He scored two goals after halftime as Inter built a 4-1 lead, but then had to hold on for dear life. Patrik Schick scored twice for Leverkusen in the final ten minutes and then was robbed at point blank range in injury time by Inter keeper Samir Handanovic.

Lukaku and Schick led the tournament in scoring as each player scored five goals, but Leverkusen striker Lucas Alario was named the Player of the Tournament. He had four goals and three assists in the five matches.

Overall, a successful trip to England for Bayer Leverkusen as they now prepare to open the Bundesliga next month.

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Re: A German Tale: Leverkusen On the Rise - Presented by BigJdotcom01

DFB-POKAL: ROUND 1

DFB-Pokal Round 1 Results:

Nurnberg 1:3 Dusseldorf
Paderhorn 1:0 Magdeburg
VFL Bochum 0:1 Turkgucu
Greuther Furth 0:1 Hannover 96
Bayern II 0:1 Viktoria Koln
Kiel 1:3 Ingolstadt
Aue 0:2 Heidenheim
Unterhaching 2:3 Hamburg
Wurzburg 1:1 Kaiserslautern (Wurzburg advanced 4-3 on penalties)
Braunschweig 0:2 Osnabruck
Saarbruck 0:1 Regensburg
Darmstadt 2:0 Hansa Rostock
TSV 1860 1:2 Karlsruhe
St Pauli 1:2 Sandhausen

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Re: A German Tale: Leverkusen On the Rise - Presented by BigJdotcom01



SUMMER TEAM NEWS

Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia (AP) - As the 2020-21 season quickly approaches, Bayer Leverkusen looks to take the next step as they look to secure a first ever Bundesliga title. The club has secured a spot in the 2020-21 Europa League but the Board of Directors has bigger plans as they hope to see the club qualify for the 2021-22 Champions League.

Developing a solid youth program is a top priority within the club. They have brought in talented scouts to build their youth academy and have used the summer transfer window to bring in some players with exceptional potential. The Board would like to see us find two youth academy players that are defenders and call them up also.

This summer the club has signed one big transfer and it involved a player swap also. Seventeen-year-old central midfielder Eduardo Camavinga was brought in from French side Stade Rennais. The transfer fee was $42M and a player. That player was 21-year-old midfielder Exequiel Palacios. While that may look like a steep price, the club is saving almost $40k/week in salary for a player who's potential may be exponential.

Three more young players were brought in with an eye towards the future. 17-year-old Yusef Demir is a central attacking midfielder from SK Rapid Wien, Crysencio Summerville is an 18-year-old right winger from Leeds United and Sebastiano Esposito is an 18-year-old striker from SPAL.

The club is trying to work out a player swap deal with 1899 Hoffenheim that would send 27-year-old striker Lucas Alario out and bring in 21-year-old left midfielder Jacob Bruun Larsen. The sticking point at this point would appear to be the contract negotiations between Hoffenheim and Alario's agent. If this deal does not go down, the club is looking to add a left midfielder before the transfer window closes.

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Re: A German Tale: Leverkusen On the Rise - Presented by BigJdotcom01

BUNDESLIGA MATCHDAY 1

vs.

LEVERKUSEN 4:2 VFB STUTTGART
BayArena (Capacity: 30,810)


Karin Ballarabi celebrates his brace on opening day of the Bundesliga.

SCORING:
16' - (B04) - L. Bailey
29' - (B04) - K. Bellarabi
55' - (B04) - L. Alario
63' - (STU) - A. Mehmedi
81' - (STU) - N. Gonzalez
84' - (B04) - K. Bellarabi

DISCIPLINE:
None

8/15/20
Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia (AP) - Bayer Leverkusen opened up the 2020-21 Bundesliga campaign with a solid 4-2 victory over VfB Stuttgart at BayArena on Saturday afternoon. Karim Bellarabi was the hero for Manager Mister Ninja as he scored twice to help get Leverkusen off on the right foot.

Stuttgart controlled the ball for most of the opening 45 minutes, yet trailed in this one 2-nil at the intermission. Leon Bailey got on the scoresheet in the 16th minute as he was set free by a gorgeous pass from Charles Arnguiz. He easily beat the keeper to put Leverkusen out in front.

Lucas Alario sent a beautiful through ball onto Karim Bellarabi in the 29th minute and he easily scored to put the home side up 2-nil. They would increase it to 3-nil in the 55th minute when Alario stood unmarked at the top of the six yard box and took a pass from Bellarabi and put it home.

Stuttgart would finally show a pulse in the 63rd minute when Admir Mehmedi scored to give Leverkusen a bit of pause. He almost doubled his fun just eight minutes later, scoring to cut the lead to one, but it was called back on an offsides.

Nicolas Gonzalez would score in the 81st minute for the visitors to cut the lead to 3-2 and it looked like this would be a wild finish. But just three minutes later, Karim Bellarabi would get his brace, splitting the defense and slipping it past Gregor Kobel to make it 4-2 and sending Leverkusen to a win on opening day in the Bundesliga.

Karim Bellarabi grabbed Man of the Match honors for his two goals and one assist.

Leverkusen will next host FC Augsburg next Saturday afternoon at BayArena.

Matchday 1 Results:
Monchengladbach 3:2 Dortmund
Augsburg 2:2 Werder Bremen
Frankfurt 3:1 Schalke 04
Bayern 1:0 Wolfsburg
Union Berlin 2:1 Freiburg
Bielefeld 0:2 Mainz 05
Hoffenheim 1:0 Hertha BSC
Koln 0:0 RB Leipzig

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Re: A German Tale: Leverkusen On the Rise - Presented by BigJdotcom01

BUNDESLIGA MATCHDAY 2

vs.

LEVERKUSEN 1:4 FC AUGSBURG
BayArena (Capacity: 30,810)


Ruben Vargas celebrates his goal in the 65th minute.

SCORING:
16' - (AUG) - M. Livaja
26' - (AUG) - F. Niederlechner
55' - (AUG) - M. Livaja
59' - (B04) - L. Bailey (PEN)
65' - (AUG) - R. Vargas

DISCIPLINE:
22' - (B04) - M. Diaby (Yellow)

8/22/20
Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia (AP) - Well, after a nice win on opening day last Saturday, Bayer Leverkusen laid an egg this week as they dropped a 4-1 decision at BayArena to FC Augsburg. Marco Livaja scored twice for the visitors as they came away with three big road points.

Florian Niederlechner almost put Augsburg in front in the twelfth minute as he got behind the Leverkusen defense, but keeper Lukas Hradecky came up with a great save. Just over three minutes later Augsburg would find the back of the goal as Marco Livaja spun around at the top of the box and unleashed an absolute cracker that Hradecky had no chance to stop.

Florian Niederlechner would make it 2-nil in the 26th minute as he knocked one in off of the foot of defender Jonathan Tah.

Karim Bellarabi had a great chance in the 31st minute but his shot sailed just wide of the goal and the teams went to halftime with Augsburg up 2-nil.

Early in the second half, it was Marco Livaja securing his brace as he took a pass and split the Leverkusen defense and easily beat keeper Lukas Hradecky to make it 3-nil. Augsburg defender Jeffrey Gouweleeuw would pull down Karim Bellarabi inside the box in the 58th minute and Leon Bailey cooly converted the penalty to cut the lead to 3-1.

But just a few minutes later it was Ruben Vargas who curled one just inside the right post to put this match to bed as Augsburg went up 4-1. Augsburg keeper Tomas Koubek would take down Patrik Schick in the box in the 79th minute for another penalty, but this time Leon Bailey sailed the attempt wide.

Augsburg outshot Leverkusen 12-11, even though the home side held a huge advantage in possession (57-43%). Marco Livaja earned Man of the Match honors with his two goals.

Leverkusen (1-0-1, 3 pts) will travel south next Saturday as they will face Hoffenheim (2-0-0, 6 pts) on match day three.

Matchday 2 Results:
Dortmund 3:1 Koln
Stuttgart 0:3 1899 Hoffenheim
Hertha BSC 0:1 Union Berlin
Wolfsburg 0:0 Monchengladbach
Schalke 04 2:3 Werder Bremen
Freiburg 1:3 FC Bayern
RB Leipzig 2:0 Bielefeld
Mainz 05 2:3 Frankfurt

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BUNDESLIGA MATCHDAY 3

vs.

1899 HOFFENHEIM 0:1 LEVERKUSEN
PreZero Arena (Capacity: 30,150)


Patrik Schick volleys one home for the lone gol of the match.

SCORING:
60' - (B04) - P. Schick

DISCIPLINE:
NONE

8/29/20
Sinsheim, Baden-Wurttemburg (AP) - Bayer Leverkusen left the comfy confines of BayArena for teh first time in the 2020-21 campaign on Saturday afternoon and came away with a well deserved 1-nil victory over 1899 Hoffenheim, who sat atop the table heading into Matchday Three. Patrik Schick tallied the lone marker in the 60th minute as he one timed a beautiful touch pass from Leon Bailey past keeper Oliver Baumann.

Hoffenheim played well enough in this one but just could not find the keys to unlock the door. They outshot Leverkusen 11-8 and with both teams having four shots on target. Leverkusen held a slight advantage in possession, over being out-possessed for much of the opening half.

Hoffenheim's best chance to score came in the 19th minute as Munas Dabbur spun past his defender in the box and lofted one over Lukas Hradacky, but the ball hit the post and bounced right back to Hradacky.

Leverkusen had a couple of great chances in the opening half. In the 22nd minute Eduardo Camavinga headed a crossing pass just past the left post from the top of the six yard box. Oliver Baumann then robbed Patrik Schick in the 36th minute from point blank range to keep the match scoreless.

Hoffenheim had one really good chance after falling behind as Chrstoph Baumgartner one timed a ball that Lukas Hradacky was able to deflect wide. But besides that, Leverkusen was buttoned up defensively and kept the clean sheet.

The win moves Leverkusen to (2-0-1, 6 pts) and drops Hoffenheim back down to (2-0-1, 6 pts). Up next for Leverkusen will be a home match with Union Berlin following the International break.

Matchday 3 Results:
Union Berlin 1:1 Stuttgart
Augsburg 0:2 Schalke 04
Werder Bremen 1:2 Mainz 05
Frankfurt 0:1 RB Leipzig
Monchengladbach 1:0 Freiburg
FC Bayern 5:2 Hertha BSC
Koln 1:3 Wolfsburg
Bielefeld 1:2 Dortmund

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Re: A German Tale: Leverkusen On the Rise - Presented by BigJdotcom01

TRANSFER DEADLINE DAY

Beyer Leverkusen was busy heading into transfer deadline day, but did not bring anyone in at the deadline, but did ship out 31-year-old center back Sven Bender. He was sent to Leicester City for $20.9M.

Earlier in the week, Leverkusen made a couple of moves to strengthen their midfield, adding 20-year-old Dwight McNeil from Burnley for $44M and 22-year-old Dani Olmo from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig for $65M. These two high priced players sit more into Manager Ninja's 4-5-1 attacking formation.

Overall this summer, Leverkusen spent $163M ti bring in six players all under the age of 23 and all midfielder or strikers. They sent out five players totally $110M in transfer fees. The biggest surprise was probably Leo Bailey who was sent to Internazionale for $55M. The 23-year-old looked like a future star at Leverkusen, but other moves made his value expendable.

The biggest moves in the summer transfer window were:
ST Lautaro Martinez moving from Internazionale to Bayern Munchen for $111M
CB Marquinhos moving from PSG to Barcelona for $98.5M
CB Joe Gomez moving from Liverpool to Spurs for $81.3M
ST Dominic Calvert-Lewin moving from Everton to Internazionale for $78M
CB Dayot Upamecano moving from RB Leipzig to Bayern Munchen for $77.4M

The biggest Bundesliga deals were:
ST Lautaro Martinez moving from Internazionale to Bayern Munchen for $111M
CB Dayot Upamecano moving from RB Leipzig to Bayern Munchen for $77.4M
CM Eduardo Camavinga moving from Stade Rennais to Leverkusen for $42.5M +Exequiel Palacios
CAM Marco Reus moving from Dortmund to Arsenal for $68.7M
CAMDani Olmo moving from RB Leipzig to Leverkusen for $65M
RB Nordi Mukiele moving from RB Leipzig to Manchester United for $61.5M
LM Leo Bailey moving from Leverkusen to Internazionale for $55M
STJosef Martinez moving from Atlanta United to RB Leipzig for $53.5M
CB Matthias Ginter moving from Monchengladbach to Spurs for $49.5M
ST Andrej Kramaric moving from 1899 Hoffenheim to Atletico Madrid for $45.5M
LM Dwight McNeil moving from Burnley to Leverkusen for $44.9M
CB Lukas Klostermann moving from RB Leipzig to Chelsea for $44.6M
CB Daley Blind moving from Ajax to Dortmund for $39M
LB Jerome Roussillon moving from Wolfsburg to Dortmund for $38.8M
RM Oscar Melendo moving from RCD Espanyol to Hertha BSC for $38.6M
RB Ander Capa moving from Athletic Club Bilbao to Dortmund for $35.6M
CB Jerome Boateng moving from Bayern Munchen to Piemonte Calcio for $33.2M
CAM Hakan Calhonoglu moving from AC Milan to Dortmund for $32M
CM Florian Grillitsch moving from 1899 Hoffenheiim to AC Milan for $31.8M

RB Leipzig, Dortmund, Leverkusen and Bayern Munchen were all busy during the window moving out some big names but also landing some. Leverkusen spent $165M and moved $110M.

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Re: A German Tale: Leverkusen On the Rise - Presented by BigJdotcom01

BUNDESLIGA MATCHDAY 4

vs.

LEVERKUSEN 2:1 UNION BERLIN
BayArena (Capacity: 30,810)


Dani Olmo knocks home the match winner in injury time in his debut.

SCORING:
51' - (B04) - P. Schick
60' - (UNB) - M. Kruse
90+1' - (B04) - D. Olmo

DISCIPLINE:
25' - (B04) - L. Bender (Yellow)
60' - (B04) - Paulinho (Yellow)

9/12/20
Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia (AP) - Bayer Leverkusen won in dramatic fashion on Saturday afternoon as newcomer Dani Olmo scored in injury time to give Leverkusen the full three points in a 2-1 victory over Union Berlin. Olmo earned Man of the Match honors with the goal and an assist and he was clearly the best man on the pitch.

The teams played to a scoreless first half but there were some good chances squandered in the opening 45 minutes. Patrik Schick miss on two golden opportunities left unmarked in the box, but miss wide on both. Lukas Hradacky came up with a huge save on Gogia in the 21st minute to keep Union Berlin off of the score sheet.

Leverkusen's best chance to score in the opening half was a great cross from Dani Olmo into Karim Bellarabi, but his header beat the keeper but bounced off of the crossbar and out to keep it scoreless. Leverkusen outshot Berlin 5-2 and held a 60-40% possession advantage.

Patrick Schick would unlock the Union Berlin defense in the 51st minute as Dani Olmo made a run down the left, then feathered a pass into Schick running down the center of the park. Schick made no mistakes this time burying it to put Leverkusen up 1-nil.

Union Berlin would find an equalizer just nine minutes later though, thanks to some pressure and sloppy defensive play. Max Kruse found a rebound at his feet as he was left unmarked at the top of the six and he beat Lukas Hradacky to level the match at 1-1.

Leverkusen then turned up the pressure over the final twenty minutes and looked like they would not be rewarded for their efforts as Loris Karius made a couple of fantastic saves to keep it level. But Karim Bellarabi made a beautiful through ball to another newcomer, substitute Dwight O'Neil, and he broke down the right hand side, then slid a pass across the mouth of the goal to Dani Olmo, who beat his marker to put the ball away in the dying minutes of injury time to send Leverkusen onto the victory, 2-1.

Leverkusen (3-0-1, 9 pts) deserved victory, outshooting Union Berlin 12-10 and owning a 55-45% advantage in possession. Union Berlin (2-1-1, 7 pts) suffered it's first loss of the campaign after a surprisingly nice start.

Leverkusen will next host Hamilton in the start of the Europa League campaign on Thursday afternoon at BayArena. They will return to Bundesliga action a week from tomorrow as they will head on the road to take on the perennial powerhouse Bayern Munchen (4-0-0, 12 pts), currently the only team with full points through the first four matches.

Matchday 4 Results:
RB Leipzig 2:0 Werder Bremen
Hertha BSC 1:1 Monchengladbach
Wolfsburg 1:1 Bielefeld
Dortmund 2:2 Frankfurt
Mainz 05 1:2 Schalke 04
Stuttgart 1:3 FC Bayern
Freiburg 2:1 Koln
1899 Hoffenheim 2:2 Augsburg

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UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE MATCHDAY 1



vs.

LEVERKUSEN 4:0 HAMILTON ACADEMICAL
BayArena (Capacity: 30,810)


Opening Night in the 2020-21 UEFA Europa League at the BayArena.

SCORING:
26' - (B04) - D. McNeil
41' - (B04) - E. Camavinga
74' - (B04) - F. Wirtz
86' - (B04) - D. McNeil

DISCIPLINE:
4' - (B04) - D. Sinkgraven (Yellow)

9/17/20
Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia (AP) - Leverkusen opened up their UEFA Europa League campaign on Thursday evening with a dominating 4-nil victory over Hamilton Academical. Dwight McNeil scored twice including an absolute cracker from just inside the 18 yard box to open the scoring in the 26th minute.

Eduardo Camavinga would get on the score sheet in the 41st minute after Kerem Demirbay sent him through all alone and he easily beat the keeper.

Another youngster, Florian Wirtz would get on the scoresheet in the 74th minute on an absolute cheeky pass from Camavinga set him up for a one timer. The two 17-year-olds are the future at Leverkusen and it looks bright.

Bayer would cap off the festive evening in the 86th minute when Dwight McNeil scored his second goal, tapping home a perfect pass from Wirtz to make it 4-nil.

Leverkusen was never really in trouble in this one, dominating possession 60-40% and outshooting the Accies 13-6.

Elsewhere in Group J, Sivasspor dominated Warta Poznan 2-nil on the road. Leverkusen will travel to Sivasspor on October 1st for their next Europa League action.

UEFA Europa League Matchday 1 Results:
Warta Poznan 0:2 Sivasspor
Vitesse 0:1 Sparta Praha
Bologna 2:2 Gaziantep
Academia 0:2 Konyaspor
Dijon FCO 2:3 Elche CF
Mainz 05 1:1 FK Bodo/Glimt
Sparta Rotterdam 1:3 Aalborg BK
Sporting CP 1:2 Real Sociedad
LOSC 3:0 Aalesunds FK
FK Haugesund 1:3 Napoli
Chindia 0:2 Odense BK
SC Braga 2:3 Arsenal
Royal Antwerp FC 0:2 OGC Nice
Slavia Praha 1:2 Feyenoord
FC Botosani 0:3 Crystal Palace
Dundalk 1:2 CSKA Moscow
Villareal CF 4:2 Celtic
Malmo FF 1:2 Spartak Moscow
Livingston 0:1 OH Leuven
Standard Liege 1:2 Wolfsberger AC
1899 Hoffenheim 1:0 Aahaus AGF
FC Famalicao 0:4 Leicester City
Roma FC 1:0 TSV Hartberg