The Werkself made it clear from the start that they wanted to clock up the next three points in the race to qualify for the Champions League. With two changes to the starting line-up, there was initially a lack of clear-cut chances, but the deadlock was broken by the hosts on 18 minutes: Paulinho converted a cross from the outside of the foot of Moussa Diaby to make it 1-0. The Black and Reds continued to dominate proceedings but the strike from Patrik Schick on 35 minutes was ruled offside.
.
Eintracht Frankfurt made three changes at half-time but the next goal was scored by Bayer 04: Diaby set up Schick who put his shot through the legs of the SGE keeper Kevin Trapp to double the lead on 51 minutes. The Werkself continued to keep it tight at the back so that the home win at the BayArena was not in danger. HERE is the match report.
Robert Andrich explained after the final whistle: "We played in a very serious and focused way today. We had less possession than Frankfurt but we created good chances in counter-attacks." Striker Sardar Azmoun added: "It was a very important game, we’re happy we won the three points.”
Captain and goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky, who played Eintracht Frankfurt from 2015 to 2018 before his move to Bayer 04, added: "First of all, I hope we seal a spot in the Champions League and that we meet again in that competition." Frankfurt play West Ham United on Thursday in the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg with the Eagles taking a 2-1 lead into the game from the first leg. Winning that competition would qualify Eintracht Frankfurt for the Champions League next season..
He's done it again: Patrik Schick scored his 22nd goal of the season against Eintracht – and thereby set a record at Bayer 04. No foreign player has ever scored as many goals for the Werkself in a season before now. The Czech Republic international has overtaken the record set by Dimitar Berbatov who scored 21 times in the 2005/06 season. Schick is second in the Bundesliga goalscorer rankings behind Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich/34 goals).
Equally impressive is the return from Diaby: Following his two assists against Eintracht Frankfurt, the France international, alongside his fellow countrymen Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig), is the only Bundesliga player to get into double figures for goals and assists this season. The Leverkusen player now has 12 goals and 11 assists. Carry on, Moussa!
With the return of Robert Andrich and Piero Hincapie, both known for their strength in challenges, the Werkself won over 60% of all challenges. The Black and Reds also had their noses in front in terms of possession (55%) as well as shots on goal (11 to 9)..
That is the headline in the report by the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger that describes a "deserved" win. Five Werkself players also received high marks in their review. The Rheinische Post reports that the Black and Reds succeeded in achieving the target of picking up points rather than just playing attractive football. Qualification for the Champions League is becoming more and more probable with a four-point gap over the team in fifth place..
The Werkself still have two games to play in the current Bundesliga campaign. The last away game game for the Seoane team is on Saturday 7 May at TSG Hoffenheim. The kick-off at the PreZero Arena is at 15.30 CEST. The season ends a week later with the fixture against SC Freiburg. The match at the BayArena on Saturday 14 May also kicks off at 15.30 CEST.
.
“Year after year, this is an incredibly valuable gathering, both in terms of the content covered and the opportunity for mutual discussion,” stressed Bayer 04 goalkeeping coach David Thiel in his welcoming address at this year’s goalkeeping coaches’ meeting. This was the third time in four seasons that the event had been held at the BayArena. Organised by the German Football Association (DFB), the meeting brought together goalkeeping coaches from the Bundesliga, Bundesliga 2 and the 3rd division from the west region. For the first time this year, goalkeeping coaches from the youth performance centres (NLZ) were also present. Bayer 04 fitness coach Markus Müller provided fascinating insights into the specific fitness training carried out with the Werkself’s goalkeepers.
Show more
It was another incredibly close call in the end: The second showdown in the 2026/27 VBL Club Championship saw the #B04eSports team once again narrowly miss out on a place in the top 16 of the preliminary round – and with it, a spot in the in-person knockout stage. It was a bitter blow: Marc and Sean Landwehr again fell just short, despite being level on points with their rivals. As was the case last month, their weaker record across the twelve individual matches in the six preliminary round fixtures proved decisive.
Show more
Several Werkself players are set to represent their national teams during the final international break of 2026. Here’s an overview of who has been called up and the matches they will face in November. This article will be updated regularly.
Show more
“They stuck with us over the past few weeks when things weren’t going so well,” said captain Edmond Tapsoba, thanking the fans for their support after the 2–1 win in Cologne and dedicating the derby victory to them. Throughout the 90 minutes, the Werkself had looked unfazed and in command, inflicting the first home defeat of the season on FC Köln. It was the sixth consecutive win against the Cologne team for Bayer 04 – head coach Carles Martínez, on the other hand, was facing the team from the neighbouring city for the first time and “now really knows what this derby win means”. The Werkself derby review.
Show more
Following the 2–1 derby victory away at FC Köln on Bundesliga matchday 9, Edmond Tapsoba, Malik Tillman and Aleix Garcia spoke to Werkself TV...
Show more
