A goal with a back-heel, another in the corner of the net: The visitors from the Kraichgau proved to be creative and determined in front of the Werkself goal. Christoph Baumgartner scored the opener with a back-heel on nine minutes, Andrej Kramaric netted with a header from a yard out before half-time (35'), and a third goal for TSG from the Robert Skov was chalked off after a foul in the build-up thanks to the intervention VAR. Gerardo Seoane made two substitutions for the start of the second half – but the Werkself were unable to find the back of the net yesterday afternoon. The final result of 3-0 came with Georginio Rutter firing a shot into the far corner of the net in the closing stages (78').
Head coach Gerardo Seoane classified the result as "deserved". The team did not perform to their ability. The Swiss coach primarily saw the reasons for defeat in defence: "We gave the opponents too many chances and were unable to stop them because we weren't strong enough in challenges."
Keeper Lukas Hradecky was disappointed talking to Werkself TV: "We're not bringing our quality onto the pitch at the moment." The number one also named a lack of aggression is one of the factors: "At the moment, that gets punished. Now everybody has to accept responsibility and help out. That will be our challenge."
Lukas Hradecky returned in goal after serving a one-match ban and Robert Andrich was in the starting eleven on his return to the squad. The two leading players went to the North Stand after the final whistle to speak to the Black and Red fans. Afterwards there were chants of "Leverkusen! Leverkusen!" from the stands. A powerful sign.
The Werkself had a total of 14 shots on goal and Hoffenheim had four less. Both teams had 50 per cent in challenges won with Robert Andrich and Co. having the upper hand with 55 per cent of tackles made.
The Rheinische Post pointed out an historical fact: "The Champions League participants have lost the first four games of the season for the first time since promotion to the Bundesliga in 1978." The Berliner Morgenpost headline reads, "Sheer sadness rules at Bayer after false start."
After the last two home games, the Werkself are away to Mainz 05 on Saturday 27 August (kick-off: 15.30 CEST). That is followed at the start of September with the home game against SC Freiburg a few days before the first group match in the UEFA Champions League.
Video game producer Electronic Arts (EA) has announced the nominees for the Men's and Women's Team of the Year (TOTY) for EA Sports FC 26. With Patrik Schick and Alejandro Grimaldo for the men and Vanessa Fudalla for the women, there are three Bayer 04 players included. Fans of the Black-and-Reds can vote for each top XI of 2025 from now until 18:59 CET on Monday 12 January.
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The Werkself host Mainz at the BayArena on matchday 24 in the 2025/26 Bundesliga season. The match is on Saturday, 28 February, at 15:30 CET. Information on ticket sales.
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The long-standing successful collaboration between Bayer 04 and the transport service provider wupsi GmbH has been expanded: From January 2026, 100 wupsi bikes with Bayer 04 branding will be available for hire throughout the city of Leverkusen. They will complement the many existing offers and services that provide key support, especially for fans travelling to and from home matches at the BayArena.
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The Werkself are back! Following the two-week winter break, head coach Kasper Hjulmand's team began the new year with an open session on Sunday. After Robert Andrich and his teammates arrived in Leverkusen yesterday for the official check-in, they got back down to business a day later in front of around 1,200 fans at the Ulrich Haberland Stadion. The report from the Werkself's first session of 2026.
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