The Kölner Stadt Anzeiger writes: "On a cold Wednesday night in December Bayer 04 Leverkusen completed the statistically most successful group stage of the Champions League in the club's history. A 3-0 win against AS Monaco sees the Werkself progress to the Round of 16 unbeaten for the first time.… Yurchenko was centre stage with his technique and vision. And when he ran to the edge of the opposition penalty area on the half-hour mark he was struck by a flash of genius. Just shoot! Not just aimlessly but rather with a combination of nouse, swerve and speed that saw the ball escape the fingers of the flying goalkeeper de Sanctis on its way into the top corner. Bayer 04 lead 1-0. And Yurchenko reported back as a serious option in midfield after a long period out injured."
The headline in the Kicker reads: "Bayer agile, focused, terrific." The journal’s assessment: Bayer showed their best side against the group winners and deservedly won." Julian Brandt was named man of the match: "Always at the centre of the action with great ideas, impressive passes and good runs. One goal, impressive. Julian Brandt was the best player."
"Leverkusen unbeaten into the last sixteen" is the headline in the Bild Zeitung and the report continues: "Leverkusen deservedly beat group winners Monaco 3-0 to progress to the Round of 16 as runners-up. Unbeaten for the first time in the club's history. This relatively insignificant victory brings with it a bonus of €1.5 million."
The Cologne newspaper Express reports: "Bayer boys conjure up Leverkusen victory." The report continues: "Bayer have laid down a marker in the Champions League. They conjured up a 3-0 win against AS Monaco, already through as group winners, and earned €1.5 million for the victory.… Any other highlights? Let's take a look at a wonder goal. One look. A curler. With gusto. But also a lot of feeling. From 20 yards out ball flew into the top right corner of the Monaco net. Vladlen Yurchenko (22) hoisted his arms into the night sky in Leverkusen. The injured Admir Mehmedi said ' A wonder goal from Vlad'."
The Rheinische Post view is: "When the final Champions League group game does not involve going through or resolving places then that is not normally a good sign. That's usually the end of the story. In the case of Bayer Leverkusen… It was different. The paradox for the Werkself: There was nothing more to play for in the most popular competition in club football. Regardless of the 3-0 victory, the opponents AS Monaco go through to the Round of 16 as group winners, and Bayer as runners-up. However, the Werkself could celebrate first ever win against Monaco."
Alejandro Grimaldo, of course! With his late equaliser (88') in the Champions League clash against Newcastle United, the Spaniard rescued a point for the Werkself, who took the lead through an own goal by Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes (13') but went with two goals for the visitors scored by Anthony Gordon (51') and Lewis Miley (74'). It was the third draw for Bayer 04 in the current 2025/26 campaign on matchday 6 in the UCL league phase.
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The Werkself will be looking to continue their run in the Champions League against Newcastle United on Wednesday, 10 December (kick-off: 21:00 CET). The two victories without conceding a goal at Benfica (1:0) and Manchester City (2-0) will hopefully be followed by a win at home at the BayArena. Against the English side, who have a player with a Black and Red past in their ranks, the way to victory could be through efficiency in attack and quick transitional play. The latter in particular has recently caused the Magpies problems away from home on the European stage. Fans can also get the stylish matchday sticker for their Sound of Dreams tour pass at the Bayer 04 Fanwelt. The matchday news.
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For the first time ever, Bayer 04 have reached the knockout phase of the UEFA Youth League. At the end of the league phase, the Leverkusen U19s secured a 2-1 home win against Newcastle United on Wednesday, 10 December. Montrell Culbreath scored before half-time and Ferdinand Pohl doubled the lead after the restart in the clash with the English side. The UCL youth competition continues at the beginning of February with the Round of 32, which will be played away from home without a second leg.
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The Bayer 04 U19s today, Wednesday 10 December (kick-off: 14:00 CET), host Newcastle United on the sixth and final matchday in the league phase of the UEFA Youth League. For coach Kevin Brok's team, the game against the English side is about securing a place in the next stage of the competition and a historic first appearance in the knockout phase. Werkself TV will broadcast the match live and free of charge from the Ulrich Haberland Stadium from 13:50 CET...
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Will Bayer 04 emulate their away wins at Benfica and Manchester City? Newcastle United are the visitors at a sold-out BayArena on Wednesday, 10 December (kick-off: 21:00 CET/live on Werkself Radio) to round off the UEFA Champions League games for the year. Coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke in advance about the momentum in Europe's premier club competition and gave an encouraging personnel update. Jarell Quansah also spoke about his experiences playing against Nick Woltemade and his wish for the Bayer 04 fans.
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