The Frankfurter Rundschau use those words for their headline on the 65th derby. The report continues: "Bayer Leverkusen easily dealt with FC Köln ahead of the clash with FC Bayern.[...] special wins even have to be celebrated in empty stadiums: At the end of their masterful performance in the biggest derby away win, the Bayer Leverkusen players celebrated loudly in front of the empty away end."
One reason for this celebration were the goals from two former Köln players. Mitchell Weiser, initially due to be on the bench, was a late stand-in for Lars Bender (precautionary measure due to thigh problem) – and eight minutes later he scored the opener. The Bild describes the opening goal: "The former Köln player volleyed the ball into the net from ten metres out. Weiser of all people!"
After the second goal from Moussa Diaby (10’) and the third from Patrik Schick (55’), another former FC Köln player struck. With 59 minutes on the clock, Florian Wirtz gave "Horn no chance. A debacle for FC. And more than sweet revenge for the bitter derby defeat a year ago for Bayer." Finally, the Bild reports: "Leverkusen are warming up for the top match on Saturday against Bayern."
In their headline, the Rheinische Post opts for the words "Bayer overrun Köln". The newspaper also looks at the concept of a derby. Their wording: "Nobody at FC wanted to talk about a real derby in the build-up. The word was avoided where possible. Clashes against Mönchengladbach or Düsseldorf might deserve that description but the game against Leverkusen? But everybody interested in football away from the cathedral city would say of course. But the demonstrative failure to take the rivals from the other side of the Rhine seriously is part of Cologne folklore. That has probably driven by jealousy as the Werkself are top of the table while FC have to worry about relegation – once again. Nothing changed after the game as Leverkusen deservedly won by a 4-0 margin at the neighbours."
The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger talks about Köln having had "no chance" and the Werkself being "vastly superior". The FC goalkeeper Timo Horn adopts a similar view as he is quoted in the paper: "' Leverkusen overrun us from the first minute. We didn't stand a chance today.'" Midfield dynamo Nadiem Amiri was given the top mark, Leon Bailey and Diaby each got a "1.5". All the other outfield players received an impressive "2".
The Süddeutsche Zeitung refers to the forthcoming festive season in their report ("Four for the Christmas tree"): "Leverkusen played so quickly and so well that he could easily imagine a Christmas bauble from the Bayer fan shop being hung on a Christmas tree somewhere in Cologne."
The sports journal kicker talks about the "great confidence" that Bayer 04 can now take into the top match against second-placed Bayern Munich. The game is at the BayArena on Saturday, 19 December (kick-off: 18.30 CET). The kicker declares: "The next package can be unwrapped on Saturday in the top match against Bayern."
A simple approach to sport with games, fun and a highlight at the end: Bayer 04 organised a very special training session for 40 participants aged between six and 27 in cooperation with the Football Association of the Middle Rhine (FVM). At the day of action for women and girls with disabilities at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre, many of the participants gained their first experience of football.
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On Saturday, 28 March, the lights will go out again at the BayArena from 20:30 pm to 21:30. As in previous years, Bayer 04 once again take part in the WWF Earth Hour campaign under the motto "We're switching off" as the club wants to set a collective example for more climate and environmental protection together with people, cities and companies around the world.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen are bringing back Kerim Alajbegovic, who joined Red Bull Salzburg in the summer of 2025. The Bundesliga club activated the buy-back option in the contract with the Bosnia international, who has enjoyed great success at the Austrian top-flight club since the start of the current season. Alajbegovic moved to Salzburg from the Leverkusen U19s last year. The 1.86-metre forward has signed a five-year contract at Leverkusen with a start date of 1 July 2026.
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Less than a year ago, Kerim Alajbegovic moved from the Bayer 04 U19s to Austrian top-flight club FC Red Bull Salzburg. The forward’s development since then has been impressive. In 36 matches, including in the UEFA Europa League, the 18-year-old has scored 14 goals. In the summer, Alajbegovic, now a Bosnia international, will return to Leverkusen - and thus not only achieve the next milestone still early in his career, but also enrich the Werkself squad with his footballing versatility and determination.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with forward Nathan Tella ahead of schedule. The versatile 26-year-old, who can be deployed as a right winger, false nine or left winger, has penned a new contract to 30 June 2031. Tella joined the Werkself from Championship club Southampton in 2023. His previous contract ran to the summer of 2028.
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