Both teams started the game with a focus on defence with Union Berlin remaining compact in their own half as the game progressed. The Werkself had more possession and endeavoured to get on the front foot but rarely broke through to the FCU goal in an uneventful first half – but that changed after half-time. Robert Andrich gave the hosts the lead from the first corner of the game and that opened the floodgates: First, Moussa Diaby netted a brace within two minutes to make it 3-0 (56', 58') and then Adam Hlozek (68') and Mitchel Bakker (76') sealed an emphatic 5-0 win in front of a full house at the BayArena with some at times impressive passing football. HERE is the match report.
At the post-match press conference, Xabi Alonso analysed the first 45 minutes as follows: "The first half was very tight, both sides didn't have many chances and it wasn't easy to attack. Union are at the top of the table for a reason." And the Spanish coach also summed up the second half "We wanted to remain focused after half-time. We had more space, our players were able to make long runs and the finishing was very good. We are very happy today." Talking about the forthcoming challenges, Alonso said: We want to carry on in exactly the same way. We need this mentality to attack, score goals and remain hungry."
Goalscorer Robert Andrich was also relieved talking to Werkself TV: "We are happy. It was a tough game in the first half, we couldn’t make the breakthrough up front but we didn't give anything away. Therefore, it was totally important to remain clear and not lose our heads. We succeeded in doing that." Nadiem Amiri turned his attention to the forthcoming derby at FC Köln: "Looking at the scoreboard makes me happy but not looking at the table. So we can enjoy today but tomorrow it's all about preparing for the most important game of the year."
Xabi Alonso had to manage without Patrik Schick against the Irons due to a groin problem. The same applied to Charles Aránguiz (calf), Paulinho (illness), Sardar Azmoun (rehab) and Florian Wirtz. Alonso also rotated making four changes to the line-up for the 0-0 home draw against Club Brugge in the Champions League. All the goalscorers in the match - Andrich, Bakker, Diaby and Hlozek - started the game.
And there was also good news away from the pitch: The presentation of the 2022 Bayer 04 Volunteering Award took place at half-time. There were three winners this year: SV Schlebusch and Vorwärts Spoho from the Middle Rhine Football Association (FVM) and DJK Rheinkraft Neuss from the Lower Rhine Football Association (FVN). The clubs all received a prize in the sum of €5,000.
A look at the numbers in the game also showed the superiority of the Black and Reds: Leverkusen had the upper hand in terms of possession (58%). The Black and Reds also won the majority (55%) of challenges. The Werkself pass completion rate was 84% with the Irons having 80%. The Werkself had eleven shots on goal – FCU had seven.
The Rheinische Post headline reads "Bayer play like a different team", the Süddeutsche Zeitung chose the metaphor of the "ketchup bottle principle", and the Kölnische Rundschau describes the events in the second half as a "45-minute Bayer gala performance." The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger describes the match as follows: "It was astonishing on matchday 13: After a difficult to explain period of play, Bayer 04 swept aside the previous league leaders FC Union with a 5-0 win and, thanks to impressive efficiency in the second half, gave themselves some breathing space."
The Werkself are away to FC Köln in the derby on Wednesday 9 November. The match at the Rheinenergie Stadium kicks off at 18.30 CET. The team from Cologne lost 2-0 to SC Freiburg at the weekend and are now twelfth in the table. Due to the World Cup, that will be followed by the final Bundesliga matchday of the calendar year. VfB Stuttgart visit the BayArena on Saturday 12 November. The match kicks off at 15.30 CET.
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.
Show more
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.
Show more
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.
Show more
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.
Show more
