The Poland international joined the Werkself last summer and is now one of the regular starters in the team in her role as a tough midfield dynamo. Matysik played in seven out of twelve games before the winter break before being sidelined for several weeks with a back problem. The midfielder made her comeback at the weekend against SGS Essen.
"Bayer 04 are the first club abroad for Sylwia. She's fitted in brilliantly with us and taken her chance. We are happy to be able to work with her for another two years," said Linda Schöttler, general manager of the Bayer 04 Women's team, looking forward positively to the forthcoming seasons. Head coach Achim Feifel said: "Sylwia has progressed really well with us over the past year. She is a ball-winner, has an outstanding winning mentality and brings a lot of energy to the pitch with her athleticism."
After striker Milena Nikolic agreed an early contract extension at the start of the year and the goalkeeper Friederike Abt (from VfL Wolfsburg) and Dina Blagojević (SC Sand) became the first two summer signings, the personnel plans for next season are taking shape. Frederike Kempe, who signed for Leverkusen in 2015, and home-grown player Selina Garofalo, who moved up to the senior squad from the second team in 2020, are set to leave at the end of the season. The contracts with the two defenders have not been extended. "We would like to thank Frederike and Selina for their games in a Bayer 04 shirt and wish both of them all the best for the future, both in terms of football and also personally," said Schöttler.
Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.
Show more
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.
Show more
Rogier Meijer is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and returning to his native Netherlands: The 44-year-old will take over at Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam on 1 July. Meijer has been part of the Werkself coaching set-up since the start of the 2025/26 season - first as assistant coach to Erik ten Hag, then on Kasper Hjulmand's staff.
Show more
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.
Show more
