An Even Match.

  Leverkusen took the lead in the attack to the cheers of the entire stadium.

  They still played this game with the same 4-1-2-1-2 formation that was their mainstay in the warm-up games, with a small diamond midfield position.

  The advantage of this formation is that the center of the midfield is stocked with four players.

  When a team lines up four players in the middle of the park, it is easier for them to gain numerical superiority in the middle of the park and hold on to possession. Strong control in the midfield will allow the wingbacks enough space to press for assists, which will also create more chances for the strikers, resulting in a more three-dimensional attacking dimension across the board.

  With such an important middle of the road to face, it was only natural that skipper Sammer was in his element.

  Those four players in the middle of the pitch are, Augusto, Ballack, Rolfes, and Bender.

  Augusto plays up front.