Coach Seoane made four changes to his team from the 1-0 win over Bochum in the Bundesliga. Odilon Kossounou, Piero Hincapie, Exequiel Palacios and Paulinho all started in place of Edmond Tapsoba, Daley Sinkgraven, Nadiem Amiri (all on the bench) and Kerem Demirbay (suspended).
Leverkusen needed around 15 minutes to get going before settling into the game. That came down to the visitors’ compact formation, with Diaby & Co. allowed very little space. It meant a set piece was needed to break the deadlock, with Florian Wirtz’s perfect corner being met by the head of Andrich in the six-yard box and put past Joe Hart on 16 minutes.
It was a thoroughly deserved lead, and Seoane’s side remained the dominant team after that. With great support from the north stand, Bayer 04 pushed Celtic back and were particularly creative down the right. However, it just lacked the final ball and a touch of luck to get another goal.
Yet the visitors were awarded a penalty after a VAR review following Lukas Hradecky’s collision with Kyogo Furuhashi at a cross. Referee Anastasios Sidiropoulos originally waved play on before changing his mind after viewing the scene again. Josip Juranovic converted from 12 yards to level things with five minutes to go in the first half – the Scottish side’s first shot on target. Leverkusen were unlucky again moments later when Diaby took advantage of a mistake at the back but only struck the frame of the goal with his volley. Wirtz then put his rebound against the outside of the post.
Bayer 04 came out with renewed attacking intent in the second half and only just missed out on a second goal. Wirtz played a great through ball into the path of Diaby, but he came up short one-on-one against Hart. Amine Adli was then also denied by the goalkeeper. The Scots were woken up by those chances as Ange Postecoglou’s side took the lead almost immediately afterwards. Furuhashi squared in the box to Jota, who finished into the far corner.
Celtic started to drop further back into their own half after that. The Werkself had more possession and were pushing for an equaliser. The team simply lacked a spark in the final third against the deep-sitting Scots. The best opportunity came from Adli, but Hart got his feet in the way with 10 minutes remaining.
However, Bayer 04 did level things up two minutes later. Wirtz crossed from the right corner of the box to substitute Amiri, who knocked the ball down for Andrich to power home first time.
It would become a magical European night at the BayArena, as Diaby had the place rocking only five minutes later. Wirtz was again at the heart of things, cutting back for the Frenchman to volley home from the edge of the box and make it 3-2. Leverkusen defended with everything they had into the six minutes of added time to see out a deserved home win.
It means Bayer 04 have guaranteed first place in Group G with a game to spare and will go straight into the round of 16 in the Europa League. Hradecky & Co. are next in action on Sunday, 28 November, away at RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga (17:30 CET).
Stats
Bayer 04: Hradecky – Frimpong, Tah, Kossounou, Hincapie (Sinkgraven 75') – Andrich, Palacios – Diaby, Wirtz (Tapsoba 89'), Paulinho (Amiri 75') – Adli
Celtic: Hart – Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Welsh, Juranovic – McGregor, Bitton (McCarthy 76'), Turnbull – Forrest (Abada 72'), Furuhashi (Ajeti 76'), Jota (Johnston 72')
Goals: 1-0 Andrich (16'), 1-1 Juranovic (pen, 40'), 1-2 Jota (56'), 2-2 Andrich (82'), 3-2 Diaby (87')
Yellow cards: Palacios, Hradecky – Carter-Vickers
Referee: Anastasios Sidiropoulos (Greece)
Attendance: 19,830
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04 Women's 0-2 loss at 1. FC Nürnberg on Matchday 8 of the 2026/27 Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga.
Show more
After nine points from their first three away matches of the 2026/27 season, the Bayer 04 Women suffered their first away defeat on Sunday afternoon. The 2-0 defeat away to FC Nürnberg, who were winless before today, represented a setback for coach Roberto Pätzold’s team in the race for the top spots in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga. Fany Pronietz scored both goals (62’, 85’) for the home side.
Show more
The Werkself still have a score to settle with TSG Hoffenheim: Bayer 04 lost both matches against the Kraichgau side last term – after the Black and Reds had won all the previous five encounters. Leverkusen are currently on a roll and looking to kick off a new winning streak against TSG in Sinsheim on Sunday 25 October (kick-off: 15:30 CET), and Patrik Schick is keen to continue his current run of form. However, it will not be easy, as coach Christian Ilzer’s team have also gained confidence recently. Today’s matchday news.
Show more
A look at the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga table ahead of the Werkself's clash at 1. FC Nürnberg leaves little discussion: Bayer 04 Women go into Sunday's meeting at the Max-Morlock-Stadion (16:00 CEST) as clear favourites. Coach Roberto Pätzold explains what's needed for the fourth-placed team against the second-from-bottom in order to make it four wins from four away matches this season.
Show more
Following the start of construction on the Talent House in mid-August, an important staffing decision has been made: Michelle Böhmke will join the project team on 1 January 2027 and take over as director when the centre opens, which is planned for summer 2027. The 36-year-old former SGS Essen player previously worked, amongst other roles, as educational director and academy school head at Hertha Berlin.
Show more
