The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger divides their report on the 2-1 home win against Schalke 04 into categories including one entitled 'That was good': "The efforts of the new Leverkusen coaching staff to be more compact and adopt a more defensive approach to the game were modestly and industriously implemented."
Hannes Wolf made six changes in his first game in charge of the Werkself compared with the 3-0 defeat at Hertha Berlin, the last match for Peter Bosz in charge of the Black and Reds. That included the return of Lukas Hradecky in goal and another experienced leader came into a newly formed back three in the shape of Sven Bender. The latter was named man of the match by the KStA for the following reasons: "The key defender firstly provided the necessary organisation in the defence […]. On top of that, he won 67 per cent of challenges and completed 92 per cent of his passes."
Hradecky had missed seven games due to his Achilles injury. Sven Bender had been sidelined for five games before the clash with the Royal Blues. And Exequiel Palacios was able to look back at an even longer spell on the sidelines ahead of #B04S04: Across all competitions, the Argentinian watched nine games from the bench with his last Bundesliga appearance back on 1 November of last year. However, Wolf put 'Pala' straight into his first Leverkusen starting eleven – and that selection was justified with a commanding and energetic performance. The Rheinische Post correctly declares that the 22-year-old midfielder played with "aggressive tackling and great commitment."
The Express talks about a "comeback festival." On the one hand, due to the appearance of the previously mentioned Werkself trio and, on the other, because of the Schalke 04 striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. The 37-year-old was in the Schalke starting line-up for the first time after injury and he scored on 81 minutes to make it 2-1 after goals from Lucas Alario (26’) and Patrik Schick (72’). Huntelaar is now Schalke's oldest ever goalscorer in the Bundesliga.
The Bild-Zeitung uses a short but important quote from the new Bayer 04 head coach Wolf. The 39-year-old said after his debut victory: "We can and should create more chances. It could be better. But I'm happy with the win." The kicker chooses the word "efficiency" used widely in football jargon.
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.
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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.
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The Bayer 04 Women’s squad for the coming season is continuing to take shape: Centre-back Emily Wallrabenstein has moved to Leverkusen from Eintracht Frankfurt’s reserve team, who play in the Women’s Bundesliga 2. The 19-year-old has penned a contract until 30 June 2028.
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Bayern 04 Women have confirmed another summer signing, with midfielder Paulina Platner moving to Leverkusen from SGS Essen. The 20-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the Werkself.
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