The Bild am Sonntag reports: "Leverkusen have to worry about their Champions League place again after the heavy defeat – and they also lost Jonathan Tah (22) due to a hip problem. Goalkeeper Ramazan Özcan (33) came in for Bernd Leno (knee): 'The result and the way we played – that hurts. That wasn't Bayer Leverkusen today.' Sporting director Rudi Völler (58): 'We were too soft and too naïve. A willing sparring partner for Dortmund.'"
The Cologne-based Express opted for the headline "Bitter evening in Dortmund: Bayer lose out to strong BVB." The article reads: "The hosts took control early on and had two great chances through Götze (9'), still playing for a place in the World Cup squad, and Sancho (12'). However, a shot from the World Cup winner went just wide and Özcan produced a reflex save to deny Sancho's first effort. The 18-year-old went one better a minute later as he scored his first Bundesliga goal after fine work by Christian Pulisic producing a deserved lead against an unsettled Heiko Herrlich team after the 6-2 defeat against Bayern Munich in the cup semi-final.
The online edition of the Kölner Stadt Anzeiger described the effects of the defeat on the league table: "Bayer 04 Leverkusen lost 4-0 to Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga top game on Saturday afternoon. Following the defeat, the Werkself now have to worry about qualification for the Champions League again. BVB are now three points ahead, Hoffenheim in fifth our two points behind." Sporting director Rudi Völler was quoted as saying: "You could see the level of performance BVB are normally capable of."
The analysis in the Kicker reads: "Thanks to a brilliant display from Jadon Sancho, BVB earned a highly deserved 4-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen. The 18-year-old Englishman was very busy on the left flank and posed the Werkself with many a (unsolvable) problem. In addition to Sancho, Reus also came up trumps although the Germany international needed a few attempts to get going."
The online edition of the Rheinische Post came to the following conclusion: "The Leverkusen mission for the top game on matchday 31 was clearly defined: On the same points and only in fourth place due to a minimally worse goal difference, the close rivals Borussia Dortmund were to be kept at the same distance to open up wide the path to the Champions League. That failed miserably: Bayer lost 4-0 to a direct competitor for a place in Europe's premier club competition and now have to look out for TSG Hoffenheim who have moved two points closer. Jadon Sancho, Maximilian Philipp and Marco Reus scored for BVB who were on fire in the second half... The only consolation for the Werkself fans is: The remaining fixtures against Stuttgart, Bremen and Hanover are apparently easier. However, it could be very difficult against these teams on current form."
Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
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Carles Martìnez is raring to go. The 42-year-old speaks in his first interview in Leverkusen about the club's development to date and how he wants to build on it. He describes his previous work in France, Kuwait, Qatar and his native Barcelona, his experience in developing young players, and the key steps between now and the start of pre-season training.
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New Bayer 04 head coach Carles Martínez has arrived in Leverkusen! At midday on Friday, the 42-year-old spoke in a press conference at the BayArena about his philosophy and his aims. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes also discussed the reasons for appointing the former Toulouse boss.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have appointed Carles Martínez Novell as the new head coach. The 42-year-old Spaniard worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. Martínez finished last term in ninth place with the club from the south of France. He will take over the Werkself on 1 July 2026 and has signed a contract to 30 June 2028. Martínez, whose contract with Toulouse expires at the end of the month, succeeds Kasper Hjulmand at Leverkusen, who is leaving the club after one season.
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Welcome to Leverkusen, Carles Martínez Novell. Bayer 04 have appointed the 42-year-old Spaniard as the new head coach on a contract to 2028. Martínez most recently worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. He previously spent four years at Barcelona's legendary academy La Masia in his home city. Bayer04.de introduces Martínez in more detail.
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