
The Süddeutsche Zeitung sees the opener from Kevin Volland as the turning point in the match: "The opening goal highlighted the contrast on the pitch. Bayer played with greater freedom while collective confusion broke out amongst the Freiburg players." The SZ also notes the "special link that connects Volland to SC Freiburg." Volland's strike to make it 3-0 was "his seventh goal against Freiburg in eight games."
The Frankfurter Allgemeine reports the match under the headline "Leverkusen roll over SC Freiburg" as follows: "Freiburg, still without a win, were not able to handle Bayer's increased tempo. Leverkusen played with freedom after Volland's opening goal. Freiburg looked paralysed at times and were unable to produce much in attack. In contrast, Leverkusen produced some very good moves, passed well and played with great enjoyment.“
Die Welt reports: "Bayer celebrated a convincing victory in their 1,300th Bundesliga fixture even though they lost some of their focus in the second half. The Werkself only had one point from the first three games of the season when the failure to convert chances was evident. This time, the Rhinelanders were significantly more effective."
The Kölner Stadt Anzeiger highlights the performance of a returning regular first choice: "The captain Lars Bender played in a not particularly enjoyable role for himself at right back that did produce a rarity in world football with him lining up alongside his twin brother in defence." There was praise for the performance of the 28-year-old, "who continually ran up and down the flanks and help to establish early dominance on the pitch." The opening goal from Kevin Volland was, in the eyes of the Kölner Stadt Anzeiger, "Exactly the right medicine for the ailing works club. Leverkusen were able to move the ball as if it was on a piece of string."
The Kölnische Rundschau sees the 4-0 win as "normal service resumed."
The Kicker writes: "The bursting of the knot could be heard on the other side of the Rhine. After a faltering start with just one point, Bayer celebrated a 4-0 win that provided relief at all levels."
The Bild reports: "That was brilliant! Driven on by the outstanding Charles Aránguiz, Leverkusen beat a harmless Freiburg side from the bottom of the table 4-0. … The fact the Bayer victory was highly deserved was recognised as fair by the Freiburg coach Christian Streich (52): 'We weren't able to compete with Leverkusen on that form. When they're up for it then you get what we've seen today.'"
The Rheinische Post picks out the performance of two Werkself pros: "Kevin Volland was a key player in the important victory for the Werkself both in terms of position in the table and mentality." The top marks went to Charles Aránguiz: "The Chilean is in great form at the moment. That's not only evident in his delightful diagonal passes, his aggression in challenges, the assists for the first and fourth goals and, of course, The unmissable strike to make it 2-0. He was the man of the match."
The Berliner Morgenpost already looks forward to Wednesday: "After a messed up start to the season, Bayer Leverkusen succeeded in getting rid of their frustration in an impressive first half as well as shaping up for their next opponents Hertha Berlin.“

A special afternoon at the Bayer 04 Football Academy autumn camp: At the Liga 20 indoor football centre, in the shadow of the BayArena, two Werkself women’s team players led a training session. Loreen Bender and Selina Ostermeier not only offered the young players advice and support, but also got stuck in themselves.
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The Werkself have reached at least the semi-finals of the DFB Pokal in each of the last three years. The Black-and-Reds would like to make it to the final four of the competition again this season, but to do that they'll need to overcome 1. FC Nürnberg in round two, who travel to the BayArena with momentum following a successful league campaign so far. However, Bayer have a 100 percent record at home in all competitions this season - and have also won six of their last seven home matches in the Pokal. The Matchday News.
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Back at home in the second round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal, Bayer 04 host FC Nürnberg at the BayArena. The match against the current second-placed side in Bundesliga 2 is on Wednesday 28 October at 20:45 CET. Ahead of the game, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about his anticipation of the clash in front of a home crowd. The Spaniard also commented on a number of personnel matters, including Ibrahim Maza and Montrell Culbreath, plus the visitors’ coach, Miroslav Klose.
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Now in their third season under head coach Miroslav Klose, FC Nürnberg are among the promotion contenders in Bundesliga 2. On Wednesday 28 October (kick-off: 20:45 CET), the team currently second in the table are away to Bayer 04 in the second round of the DFB Pokal. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Werkself player Ibrahim Maza has been named in the top ten in the ‘Men’s Young Talent of the Year’ category for 2026. The 20-year-old was at the London Palladium on Monday evening for the 2026 Ballon d’Or awards ceremony. Fernando Carro, Bayer 04 CEO, also attended the ceremony. Lamine Yamal of Barcelona was named the winner in the ‘Men’s Young Talent of the Year’ category.
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