The goals were scored by Kevin Volland (35’) and Chicharito (37’ pen.). Bayer 04 also hit the woodwork three times through Volland, Pohjanpalo and Kruse. Roger Schmidt fielded 21 players over the course of the friendly.
The Werkself played for the first time in the new white away kit against Real Sociedad, with the Mexican Carlos Vela and the returnee from Real Madrid Asier Illarramendi in the visitors’ starting eleven. And Bayer 04 were first out of the blocks: Volland tested the keeper Ramirez with low drive from 20 yards out on four minutes and two minutes later Volland and Karim Bellarabi combined well but could not pick out Chicharito. The team in white impressed the Werkself crowd with their lively approach, pressing and crisp passing. The Werkself rang the changes up front in terms of positions to the evident pleasure of the fans.
Jedvaj sets up Volland, Chicha doubles the lead
The deserved lead finally came on 35 minutes – and it was the first strike at the BayArena for new signing Kevin Volland. Tin Jedvaj put a delightful ball through the middle where Volland won the foot race with the advancing Ramirez to the edge of the box leaving the striker with an empty net. And the Spanish keeper had to pick the ball out of the back of the net again two minutes later: Admir Mehmedi was wrestled to the ground in the box and Chicharito stepped up to convert the spot-kick with his penalty fired into the roof of the net. The result was a fair reflection of the play for Real Sociedad although it could have been worse immediately before the break when the nippy Benny Henrichs set up Volland but the front man hit the post.
There were three changes at half-time with Julian Baumgartlinger, Wendell and Hakan Calhanoglu coming on. Kevin Kampl moved forward. A smart curling shot from the Slovenia international went just wide of the target on 56 minutes. Just after the hour mark it was time for Roberto Hilbert, André Ramalho and Kyriakos Papadopoulos to get time on the pitch. Kampl continued to shine and he put Chicharito in with a chance on 65 minutes.
Spectacular double against the post
Roger Schmidt then made another four substitutions and two new boys were centre of attention with a double strike against the post on 68 minutes: Joel Pohjanpalo hit the ball against the woodwork and Robbie Kruse the post on the rebound. There were further changes and more fun on the pitch while the fans in the North Stand put in collective singing practice for the impending campaign.
The game against Real Sociedad was the seventh and final pre-season friendly for Bayer 04. The Werkself are in competitive action on Sunday 21 August (15.30 CET) in a First Round DFB Cup tie against SC Hauenstein in Pirmasens.
The Werkself line-up:
Leno – Jedvaj (Hilbert 61’), Toprak (Ramalho 61’), Tah (Papadopoulos 61’), Henrichs (Wendell 46’) – Kampl (Öztunali 66’), Aránguiz (Yurchenko 66’) – Bellarabi (Baumgartlinger 46’), Mehmedi (Kruse 66’) – Volland (Calhanoglu 46’), Chicharito (Pohjanpalo 66’)
A fresh look for the BayArena: The Bayer 04 stadium will have new seating in the form of folding seats for the 2026/27 campaign that will ensure significantly improved seating comfort and simplified movement within the rows of seats. As part of routine replacement after 17 years, fans of the Werkself were able to purchase the existing seats, used to witness the first German league title in the club's history. In addition, a large proportion of the seats will be donated to charitable projects, primarily in the local region. Bayer 04 fans can look forward to new, functional folding seats for the season opener at the beginning of August - still in the club colours of black and red, of course. A glimpse at the BayArena during the refurbishment.
Show more
On Monday evening, 8 June, around 250 people came to the Bürgerhaus Baumberg at the invitation of Bayer 04 to find out details of the new plans for the campus on Alfred-Nobel-Straße at an information event. More compact, greener and with many advantages for Monheim am Rhein - those are the aims. There were lively discussions for around three hours and some misunderstandings were cleared up.
Show more
Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
Show more
When Malik Tillman arrived at Bayer 04 Leverkusen from PSV Eindhoven last summer, he did more than just add attacking midfield strength to the team — he reconnected the club with a unique and understated American lineage that stretches back more than three decades.
Show more
Bayer 04 are away to third-division club SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal. That was the outcome of the draw on Saturday night, 6 June, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. The Werkself first round tie will be played between 21 and 24 August. The exact date has yet to be finalised.
Show more
