
The headline in the Kölner Stadt Anzeiger reads, 'Wake- up call at half-time' and highlights the animated intervention of the captain in the dressing room: "The input of Lars Bender during half-time clearly hit home. With the scoreline of 0-0 and a shots on goal ratio of 0 to 8, the Bayer 04 Leverkusen captain spoke out in the basement of the Düsseldorf stadium on Wednesday night to shake his team-mates into action. Kevin Volland did not want to divulge any details but it was all about Bayer 04 not playing as badly against the newly promoted Fortuna.'His words definitely had an effect,' said Volland - particularly where he was concerned. His two goals secured a 2-1 victory for Bayer 04 and the third win in succession."
The Kölnische Rundschau came to the following conclusion: "Recovery part three: Bayer 04 Leverkusen continued to battle their way out of the crisis on Wednesday night with a 2-1 win away to newly promoted Fortuna Düsseldorf. Once again led by their outstanding young star Kai Havertz and with two goals from Kevin Volland, the Werkself achieved a third win inn succession to move up to a mid-table position in the Bundesliga."
The Bild Zeitung showed concern about the housing situation of the double goalscorer: "Will his rent agreement be cancelled? Leverkusen win 2-1 at Fortuna because Kevin Volland (26) scores twice (50', 60'). Interesting: The striker, who hadn't scored in the Bundesliga since April (!), lives in Düsseldorf of all places. Volland has annoyed his neighbours! 50th minute: Corner from Bailey. Kohr rises and powers a header towards the far corner. Volland sticks out a foot. 1-0! 60th minute: Havertz lobs a delightful pass to Volland who only has to nod it in. 2-0!"
The Express sums up the sporting event in Düsseldorf with this common denominator: "Leverkusen only actually played 15 minutes of good football but that was enough for the clever Werkself side to take three points from Düsseldorf. A clinical Kevin Volland and an impressive goalkeeper made the difference against the newly promoted club." The paper highlights the outstanding display by Lukas Hradecky: "Less than seven minutes had gone and the Bayer keeper Lukas Hradecky had already twice saved his team from going behind. First of all, he turned away a shot from Bonito Ramadan heading for the top corner at the end of an impressive Düsseldorf move and shortly after that he kept out Rouwen Hennings."
The Rheinische Post report reads: "When the referee Manuel Gräfe blew for half-time on Wednesday night,the world of the Fortuna fans in the 40,046 crowd was still in order. The score was 0-0 but the hosts dominated an opponent of European quality in Bayer Leverkusen. The fact the game ended in a 2-1 defeat for Fortuna was, on the one hand, down to themselves due to careless finishing. On the other hand, the Werkself began to show their high, individual quality on the pitch after the break – and they overtook Fortuna in the Bundesliga table not undeservedly."


At the end of the winter training camp in Portugal, the Bayer 04 Women convincingly mastered their friendly ahead of the start of the second half of the season. In the match against Swiss league leaders Servette FCCF, coach Roberto Pätzold's team won 3-0 at the Monte Gordo Sports Complex. Carlotta Wamser (4’), Vanessa Fudalla (18’) and Loreen Bender (53’) scored for Bayer 04, who have been preparing for the Rückrunde in the Algarve since last Saturday.
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In the first episode of the new interview series "A New Chapter", Werkself defender Jarell Quansah reflects on his first few months under the Cross and speaks about his journey from England to Leverkusen. Having come through the ranks at Liverpool, a new chapter began for Quansah in the summer at Bayer 04 — with new objectives, fresh challenges and much ambition. In the video, the centre-back speaks about his development as a player and person, about the courage to leave your own comfort zone, and about what it means for him to be part of an international team in a different country. Honest, reflective and full of motivation — just like the start of his Werkself career.
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Full focus on Hoffenheim: after the late postponement of the away match at Hamburger SV, the Werkself are looking forward. To get themselves in top shape for the key clash at top-six rivals TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday 17 January (kick-off 15:30 CET), a number of players showed full commitment even on a day off - including two AFCON returnees...
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After Rio de Janeiro, it's off to Thuringia: This summer, Bayer 04 Leverkusen will prepare for the 2026/27 football season in Germany. While Brazil was the destination last year, the Werkself will now set up their training camp in Blankenhain, just outside Erfurt, from 1 to 7 August 2026.
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Four Bayer 04 players are in action at the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations being played in Morocco from 21 December to 18 January 2026: Eliesse Ben Seghir for the hosts, Edmond Tapsoba with Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Maza for Algeria and Christian Kofane with Cameroon. Updates on the AFCON matches involving Werkself players...
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