The TSG Hoffenheim players approached the microphones with broad grins last Saturday afternoon. No wonder as they secured a last-minute win in the big match against SC Freiburg. Central defender Chris Richards headed the winner in a 2-1 victory in the fourth minute of added time to secure the fourth win on the bounce. "We're training very hard, we feel good and are very happy about another three points," declared the 21-year-old after the final whistle. The team led by head coach Sebastian Hoeneß have performed incredibly well so far this term. Fourth place and 26 points make a clear statement after 15 matchdays. In the last ten games, TSG have clocked up seven wins (three defeats) and were the second most in-form Bundesliga side during that period behind league leaders Bayern Munich (eight wins, two defeats). "We feel like brothers and give our all for each other on the pitch," said Richards in explaining the formula for success at Hoffenheim recently and he added: "You can see that and it’s what we’re about."
Coach Hoeneß has injury problems ahead of the clash with the Werkself and he will have to manage without Ermin Bicakcic (rehab after torn cruciate), Jacob Bruun Larsen (training deficit), Marco John (flu) and Robert Skov (thigh injury). In contrast to the 2-1 win in Freiburg, Dennis Geiger may well return to the starting line-up. The 23-year-old midfielder has recently suffered with muscular problems but is an option again for Wednesday night. Alternatives in central midfield are Angelo Stiller and Sebastian Rudy. If defensive all-rounder Florian Grillitsch, who missed the Freiburg game due to a cold, comes back into the starting eleven, then Richards or Stefan Posch will have to make way. Striker Georginio Rutter is also a candidate for a start after only coming on as a substitute on the last matchday.
Bayer 04 against Hoffenheim – a battle between the quick starters and the late finishes. The Werkself have scored 11 goals in the opening 15 minutes; the top stat in the Bundesliga. TSG lead the ranking of the 18 clubs with goals in the final 15 minutes (nine). In addition, the team from the Kraichgau also have the fourth best attack in the league. Five of their 32 goals have been scored by Ihlas Bebou who is the club's top scorer in the Bundesliga. The forward missed the start of the season due to a Covid-19 infection but is now right back in the saddle. Sebastian Hoeneß is a fan of the Togo international and he describes him as a lad with a "super character" who works hard on the pitch and is therefore "enormously important" for the team. It's no wonder the 27-year-old has been a regular starter for TSG since matchday five. In Andrej Kramaric, Hoffenheim have the third best provider in the league (seven assists) in their ranks – only Thomas Müller (11, Bayern Munich) and Werkself youngster Florian Wirtz (eight) have set up more goals.
As much fun as TSG fans have in the attacking strength of their team, they very much yearn for defensive stability. The Hoeneß team have conceded 23 goals in 15 games. There is undoubtedly a need to find a better balance between the different parts of the team. A problem that Hoffenheim and Leverkusen share with each other: No other teams in the top half of the table have conceded more goals than the Werkself and TSG (24 and 23 respectively).
TSG are currently not only amongst the most in-form teams in the Bundesliga but also amongst the most consistent – after conceding there have almost always been results in the end and they have only suffered two defeats in succession once this season. The Hoeneß team are currently in outstanding shape and are definitely one of the teams capable of finishing in a European spot, in particular due to their offensive qualities. The impressive attacking duo of Kramaric and Bebou are supported by young players like David Raum and Georginio Rutter who have really emerged this season. If these Hoffenheim "brothers" continue to consistently pick up points then there are several possibilities for the players from the Kraichgau in this current Bundesliga season.
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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