"You could see Würzburg were the fitter team. But we didn't take account of this match during the last few days of intensive training," said Herrlich. Once again he had to do without the Confed Cup participants (Bernd Leno, Julian Brandt, Benjamin Henrichs, Chicharito, Charles Aránguiz) and the U21 European champion (Dominik Kohr) for the friendly in Hollenbach in Baden-Württemberg.
Herrlich calls for more commitment
The exertions of the past ten days on the training ground were particularly evident in the second half. The opposite was true for the opponents from Würzburg who were at their end of the pre-season with just eight days to go before the start of the third division campaign. In spite of the difference in terms of training the new Bayer 04 coach did not seek to defend the performance of his team against a physically strong Würzburg side: "From a team like Bayer Leverkusen you can expect them to put up more of a fight. In my opinion we were too passive on the pitch."
The Werkself did make a decent start to the game organised by joint kit suppliers JAKO and they went on to create lots of chances in the first half. Against the run of play, Herrlich's team went 1-0 down on 23 minutes to a goal from Björn Jopek. The Werkself remained undeterred. Driven on by the energetic Kai Havertz and Joel Pohjanpalo, Bayer 04 had the better of Würzburg up to half-time but were unfortunate not to convert any of the chances created. Bayer 04 went into half-time 1-0 down.
Würzburg build on good start
Herrlich made three changes at half-time bringing on keeper Niklas Lomb, Stefan Kießling and Leon Bailey. Würzburg built on their solid start in the second 45 minutes and they gradually wrested control of proceedings with Marco Königs doubling the score on 54 minutes. Dominic Baumann then extended the lead to 3-0 with a goal from a free kick.
Herrlich made another four changes in the closing stages. The Kickers continued to control the game they focused on playing on the break. The Werkself did create more chances but were unable to overcome Würzburg on the night.
The Werkself will complete a recovery training session on Saturday morning with new signing Sven Bender joining in for the first time. The next friendly is on Wednesday (18.30 CET). The third pre-season fixture sees the Werkself play Regional League side Bonner FC at the Sport Park Nord in Bonn. Tickets are available now for 13 euros and 10 euros for concessions.
Bayer 04: Özcan (Lomb 46’) – Bednarczyk (Frey 72’), Ramalho, Dragovic, Wendell (Abu Hanna 63’) – Yurchenko (Bailey 46’), Baumgartlinger – Havertz (Akkaynak 72’), Bellarabi (Schreck 63’) – Pohjanpalo, Volland (Kießling 46).
Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.
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Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
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Rogier Meijer is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and returning to his native Netherlands: The 44-year-old will take over at Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam on 1 July. Meijer has been part of the Werkself coaching set-up since the start of the 2025/26 season - first as assistant coach to Erik ten Hag, then on Kasper Hjulmand's staff.
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Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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