"Bayer 04 Leverkusen beat FSV Mainz 05 1-0 on matchday 34 to end the season in fifth place as Borussia Mönchengladbach ran out 2-1 winners against Hertha BSC," summed up the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger. "The hope for help from the team from the capital was in vain."
The reports have little to criticise about Leverkusen's performance. The Welt am Sonntag describes a "good game" played by the Werkself at the end of the season, beginning with a "dream start".
The early goal by Kevin Volland is described in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung as follows: "Bayer got off to a lightning start because the team from Rhinehessen were still half asleep and Volland converted with a powerful left-footed shot on the spur of the moment to round off a move from Wirtz and Amiri."
There is also praise for the overall display. "There wasn't long to wait for the next big chance but Mainz were able to make a last-ditch clearance for the whipped-in and low cross from Bailey," describes RP online and adds: "Bayer were straight into the match, applied pressure, were focused, remain comfortable on the ball and did not allow the visitors to play their game at all."
According to the WAZ that did not change in the second 45 minutes. "The Rhinelanders kept up the pressure after the half-time break," reports the journal and points to the quality of the Werkself substitutes: "The introduction of Havertz and Moussa Diaby provided another boost."
The Werkself were unable to qualify for the Champions League with this win but did set a Bundesliga record as the BILD explains: "With 63 points, Leverkusen are now the most successful fifth-placed team since the introduction of the three-point rule (1995/96). Up to now, that many points always guaranteed at least fourth-place! Last season Leverkusen only needed 58 points to be in the Champions League…"
"Leverkusen don't want to worry about fifth place for too long," declared the EXPRESS. "In a week’s time there is the cup final against Bayern and then the Europa League could offer a back door to the Champions League. The Werkself are looking forwards." Fitting – and perhaps also fitting for the coming Werkself weeks – is the headline of the article "Cup final & Euro League: Bayer now start Plan B".
“Diaby! Diaby! Diaby!” was the cry around the BayArena as the Werkself danced in front of the north stand following their 4-0 win over Union Berlin. Captain Edmond Tapsoba gave his new (and old) teammate a friendly shove forward to take in the acclaim from the fans. The returning Frenchman was typically reserved in thanking the supporters but was clearly emotional about what was happening.
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The Bundesliga is back at the BayArena this Saturday as Bayer 04 play their first home game of the 2026/27 campaign against Union Berlin (15:30 CEST). Moussa Diaby could make his second debut for the Werkself following his return to Leverkusen – and it would be an ideal fixture for the Frenchman. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the encounter in our matchday news.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 2-1 at TSG Hoffenheim on the 3rd matchday of the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga 2026/27.
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Paulina Tomasiak’s maiden Bundesliga goal helped Bayer 04 Women to their second away victory of the 2026/27 Google Pixel Bundesliga as Roberto Pätzold’s side won 2-1 at Hoffenheim on Matchday 3. Loreen Bender had scored inside two minutes on Friday evening before the hosts levelled, but Tomasiak came off the bench to secure all three points at the Dietmar-Hopp-Stadion.
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