
Sadly there was little to celebrate on the final matchday of the season even though the U19s did secure a comfortable 4-2 victory over relegated Viktoria Köln. After going behind on four minutes the game was turned round with two quick goals before the break. Simon Rhein (37') and Güven Yalcin (38'). Yalcin scored again three minutes after the restart to make it 3-1. With 79 minutes on the clock Sam Schreck netted a fourth goal for the Werkself before Viktoria scored a consolation goal two minutes from full-time.
However, as Schalke 04 (1-1 at Wuppertal) and Borussia Dortmund (1-0 at Duisburg) both secured points it meant the team under Markus von Ahlen and Iraklis Metaxas were unable to take one of the top two spots that would have qualified the team for the German Championship final.
Third place in the end
That could only have happened if Schalke 04 and lost or Dortmund had failed to win. At the end of an exciting season the Leverkusen lads are in third place on 56 points behind Dortmund (58 point) and Schalke (57).
"The lads gave their all again today and did their job," said coach von Ahlen after the game, "but it wasn't to be. Of course, we wish Schalke 04 and Borussia Dortmund all the best for the final rounds."
Dortmund play VFL Wolfsburg as Western champions in the semi-final. Schalke meet Bayern Munich in a two-legged tie.


Since 2023, Bayer 04 has been organising regular free goalkeeping coach training sessions at the BayArena. As in previous years, the event attracted enormous interest in mid-October 2026. Around 140 participants – mostly goalkeeping coaches from the region, but also team and academy coaches as well as association staff – came to the Werkself stadium to gain expert knowledge on the subject of zonal marking. Through a theoretical keynote presentation and a practical session on the pitch, the participants gained insights into goalkeeping and goalkeeper training at Bayer 04.
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A first for the Werkself: Today, Thursday 15 October (kick-off: 18:45 CEST), Bayer 04 face Lech Poznan for the first time on matchday 2 in the UEFA Europa League group. Although the Black and Reds have a flawless record against the only Polish opposition faced before, they must not underestimate the attacking ability and goal-scoring threat of the reigning champions from Poznan. Lech’s squad also includes two former Bundesliga players. Today's matchday news.
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Some 30 years on since their last European fixture in Poland, Bayer 04 cross the border for Thursday’s UEFA Europa League clash against Lech Poznan on Matchday 2 of the league phase on Thursday (kick-off: 18:45 CEST). Ahead of a first-ever meeting with Lech, head coach Carles Martínez and winger Nathan Tella spoke in Poznan about special memories and objectives.
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The NB Vintage Collection is here and available now! Members enjoy an exclusive priority purchase period (online shop only). Non-members will then be able to purchase items from Saturday 17 October (10:00 CEST). Sales will also begin at the same time at the Bayer 04 Fanwelt.
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