Head coach Xabi Alonso made six changes to the XI that took on Arsenal on Wednesday. Lukas Hradecky took over from Matej Kovar between the sticks. In addition, Alejandro Grimaldo, Arthur, Robert Andrich, Jonas Hofmann and Victor Boniface started on Saturday.
The Werkself got off to a controlled start and were solid at the back while relying on many passes in their build-up play as usual. Nabil Fekir missed the first chance for the away side (12’) before Florian Wirtz’ low effort went just wide after a failed clearance (18’). Piero Hincapie let fly following fine interplay down the left, but Betis keeper Rui Silva saved his effort. The Werkself slowly but surely asserted their authority, Sevilla’s Marc Bartra beating Boniface to a Wirtz cross (34’). Hofmann missed a chance before half-time and the sides turned round with the game still goalless.
The Andalusians were dominant after the restart, Aitor Ruibal inviting sub Juanmi to score the opener (52’). Xabi Alonso made four changes now, Martin Terrier, Jeremie Frimpong, Aleix Garcia and Jeanuël Belocian coming on for Hofmann, Arthur, Hincapie and Grimaldo. The Black and Reds went looking for an equaliser and found the net, only for Wirtz’ goal to be chalked off for offside (67’). Three minutes later Boniface’s sumptuous sideways scissor-kick went just wide (70’).
Patrik Schick, Amine Adli and Odilon Kossounou came on now, and Alonso’s changes paid off when Betis keeper parried a Schick header, with Belocian on hand to mop up and score his maiden goal for Bayer 04 (78’). Schick had just found the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside again. The Werkself pressed for a winner, but another goal refused to come and the last pre-season friendly ended in a stalemate.
The Werkself contest their first competitive fixture of the new season at the BayArena on Saturday 17 August (kick-off: 20:30 CEST), when German champions and DFB Cup winners Bayer 04 face off with Bundesliga runners-up VfB Stuttgart.
Match stats
Bayer 04: Hradecky – Tapsoba, Tah (Kossounou 74’), Hincapie (Garcia 60’) – Arthur (Frimpong 60’), Andrich, Xhaka, Grimaldo (Belocian 60’) – Hofmann (Terrier 60’), Wirtz (Adli 74’) – Boniface (Schick 74’)
Real Betis:Silva – Sabaly (Bellerin 61’), Bartra (Cardoso 61’), Llorente, Parraud – Roca (Diao 61’), Carvalho (Altimira 82’) – Fornals, Fekir (Losada 82’), Avila (Juanmi 46’) – Ruibal (Rodriguez 61’)
Goals: 0-1 Juanmi (52’), 1-1 Belocian (78’)
Yellow cards: Llorente, Carvalho
Referee: Sascha Stegemann (Niederkassel)
Attendance: 28,395 at the BayArena
Calling all Werkself fans: Even during the three-week international break – a first for September and October – you have the chance to visit the BayArena – and for a very special occasion. Bayer 04 is hosting a Health Day on Saturday 3 October, from 10:00 to 14:00 CEST in the Premium Lounge. Together with Bayer Vital and main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer, the Bundesliga club invites you to an interactive, free event centred on the theme of health. Partners will be present on site with their own exciting activities. Here is an overview of the programme of events.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04 Women's 2-1 win at SC Freiburg on Matchday 5 of the 2026/27 Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga.
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Bayer 04 produced an impressive display from start to finish as they maintained their perfect home record this season with a 2-0 win over RB Leipzig on Bundesliga Matchday 4. Patrik Schick opened the scoring just before half-time, with Miguel Gutiérrez getting his first Werkself goal to wrap up the three points at the BayArena, where fans also got to enjoy the family matchday activities.
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Peter Hermann passed away on Saturday at the age of 74. The entire Bayer 04 family is deeply saddened by the loss of a much-loved figure who helped shape football in Leverkusen over many decades. He was also one of the most respected coaches in the whole of Germany. Hermann had been suffering from ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) for some time.
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