Sardar Azmoun @ Bayer 04 Leverkusen | 2022/2023

[inarsenewetrust]

I feel B04 will make the mistake of buying more strikers at the end of the season while they badly need much better defenders

dont see it. Sardar and Schick will both be there next season and are the 2 top earners in the side. Plus Hlozek if not real CF as alonso mentioned could play there in case of emergencies.

I think most of their efforts will be spent on finding new CM (only options now are palacios, andrich, maybe amiri who is not real CM, and demirbay who is as good as gone), CB (Tah rumored to be leaving), and replacement for Diaby who will probably go.

OFC, Sardar needs to keep up this form through the end of the season to cement himself in Xabi's longterm thinking, but think in terms of overall fit he ticks most of the boxes he wants at cf

[diz]

The boys

[Ghermez Agha]

The boys

somehow bayer always manages to segregate their players by race similarity before they had all the South Americans in one group now they have all the middle easterners I know it’s just a pic really but still funny lol

[AMIRHOUSHANG]

I hope he can keep this streak of good play going. When Sardar is consistent he is at his best.

[BusiG]

Heres an Article about Azmoun from German Rheinische Post:

Original in German :

https://rp-online.de/sport/fussball/bayer-04/bayer-04-leverkusen-sardar-azmoun-ist-endlich-angekommen_aid-86116179

Here the Google Translation in English:

Azmoun has finally arrived at Bayer
Leverkusen ·

Sardar Azmoun is really getting going for the first time since moving to Bayer Leverkusen and not only impresses as a centre-forward.

Actually, Sardar Azmoun was already gone. In winter, the Iranian wanted to try his luck elsewhere. A move to Olympique Marseille was in the offing, becoming more and more concrete, the fee should have been ten million euros. The French first division club already had a shirt number for the striker. Azmoun should have worn the 11. But on the last day of the open transfer window, the plans fell through, the deal fell through - and the 28-year-old's rather unhappy relationship with Bayer Leverkusen went into the next round. Looking back, that was a blessing for the Werkself, but also for Azmoun.

Since then, the form of the national player has been pointing upwards. He provided the assist in the 2-3 draw in Mainz, scored the equalizer in the 1-1 draw in Freiburg, and opened the 4-1 firework display against Hertha BSC on Sunday with his goal to make it 1-0. Jeremie Frimpong's congenially prepared lead was by no means his only strong move in the one-sided game. There was also the thriller in the Europa League at AS Monaco, where he came on as a substitute in the 115th minute, a little later he confidently sunk his attempt on penalties and played his part in qualifying for the round of 16. There are many phoenix-rising-from-the-ash tales in football, Azmoun appears to be adding another to the collection.

After moving to Bayer in January 2022, things didn't go well for the striker at all. Bayer transferred 2.5 million euros for Azmoun to his former club Zenit St. Petersburg - a bargain price for the attacker, who was valued at 25 million euros at the time. Actually, the change in the summer should have been free of charge, but Zenit forced the earlier conclusion in order to generate at least a little money for its star player at the time.

In Leverkusen, illnesses and injuries repeatedly slowed down the offensive man. Although coach Gerardo Seoane granted him a few appearances, Azmoun was not able to convince in the long term. There were certainly good approaches to be seen, especially in terms of combination football and creativity, but the fans mostly waited in vain for the Iranian's goals and assists - and at times he miserably missed even the most promising of chances to score. The professional, who is revered as a folk hero in his home country, did not cause a stir, but rather off the pitch, especially with his courageous and internationally acclaimed statements on the subversive protests in Iran, with which he clearly sides with women's rights and against the mullah regime.

Azmoun tore a hamstring just before Seoane was sacked and Xabi Alonso installed as his successor. After the World Cup in Qatar, for which he made it back just in time and was eliminated with his home country in the group stage, he found himself lacking in fitness. It was several weeks before he offered himself as an alternative up front. Alonso finally gave him the chance after increasingly appealing training performances - and he took it. "With Sardar you can currently see that he is in good physical condition, which is also very important," said teammate Robert Andrich. “It comes with a certain amount of self-confidence. He has now scored two goals and is happy to continue like this.”

He himself is currently in the best of moods. The Iranian is also doing well privately: he demonstratively celebrated his goal on Sunday with a thumb-sucking pose. The 28-year-old is becoming a father for the first time. "We deserved to win," said Azmoun. "We are very happy. The three points were very important.” The hard work in training is paying off – for him, but also for the team as a whole. “It all starts there. We're like a family and that helps not only me but everyone to play well.” He sees his personal upswing as part of the constant ups and downs in football. "I never give up. You may not have your best days for a month or two. You can't let the bad moments get you down." In addition, after a year he finally arrived in the Bundesliga. "The Russian league is not that strong," emphasized the attacker. "It's a total difference to the Bundesliga. I had to get used to it, adapt it. But now everything is fine – and I am very happy.”

[taremiscores]

Sardar Azmoun is starting.

[PrinceAli]

Bayer should be able to score multiple goals in this one. Hopefully their defense doesn’t ruin things for them

Predicting a brace from Sardar

[Abtin]

Bayer should be able to score multiple goals in this one. Hopefully their defense doesn’t ruin things for them

Corrected brother 😉

[PrinceAli]

Corrected brother 😉

Oops my bad. Thanks, fixed it lol

[inarsenewetrust]

demirbay amiri as CMs today...first choice combo of palacios and demirbay is suspended. Think they may struggle in that area

[Raptor]

demirbay amiri as CMs today...first choice combo of palacios and demirbay is suspended. Think they may struggle in that area

Robert Andrich also suspended due to yellow cards. I think he is one of the key players and has been the main reason why BL have looked quite solid defensively lately.

Ferencvaros should not be underestimated, this game could be more tricky than it looks on paper.

[Farzadfarhangni]

demirbay amiri as CMs today...first choice combo of palacios and demirbay is suspended. Think they may struggle in that area

Yeah, very offensive lineup. I guess Xabi's plan for a weak defense is to make sure their offensive is strong enough to outscore the opponent. Gonna be a high scoring game.

[AMIRHOUSHANG]

Any links to the game? TIA

[Ahmad_DC]

Looks like 4-4-2. Demirbay is the Haj Safi of this team. Aimless free kicks all day long. Now watch him score a free kick. lol Amiri better play some D today.

[taremiscores]

Any links to the game? TIA

https://ww1.pawastreams.top/leverkusen-vs-ferencvaros/53184/