"In Andrey Lunev we have brought in an experienced keeper. In his four years at Zenit, he has won the Russian league title three times and the cup once. And with seven international caps, 17 Europa League and to Champions League matches, Andrey also has international experience," declared Bayer 04 sporting director Simon Rolfes. "He will strengthen our squad with his proven quality and experience on the pitch."
The 1.93 metre tall Lunev expressed his "excitement at being able to play in such a strong league as the Bundesliga. I was very impressed that Bayer 04 showed interest in me," said Lunev. "Now I'm part of a club that has been one of the best in Germany for years and has gained a strong reputation in Russia through their consistent presence in European competitions. I will do all I can to give my absolute best at Leverkusen."
Bayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without centre-back Edmond Tapsoba in the coming weeks. The Burkina Faso international returned to the Werkself from the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco with a muscle injury.
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The Werkself are away to Hamburg SV at the end of the Hinrunde in the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign. The match at the newly promoted club is on Tuesday night, 13 January (kick-off: 20:30 CET). Ahead of the first encounter with HSV since 2018, Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the strengths of the opponents, lessons learnt from the home defeat against VfB Stuttgart and provided a squad update.
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In Germany, the temperatures are currently around zero, leaving even professional footballers freezing - but not the Bayer 04 Women. Roberto Pätzold's team have fled the cold to the south and are preparing for the second half of the season at a training camp in the Algarve, almost 2,000 kilometres away from home as the crow flies. The Leverkusen squad landed in Faro on Saturday morning and have already completed the first three training sessions over the weekend.
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It was a disappointing Saturday night. The Werkself lost 4-1 to VfB Stuttgart to start the new year on Bundesliga matchday 16 in 2025/26, a result that left both players and fans disappointed. "We played without any passion," said Alejandro Grimaldo honestly afterwards. Teammate Jarell Quansah was even more self-critical, emphasising: "We were miles off it in the first half. You can't put in a performance like that, especially in front of our own fans and I can only apologise to them, to be honest." Read on for the reaction, facts and stats from the clash with VfB Stuttgart in the Werkself review.
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