"We played really well overall – we wanted to be more efficient today and not look to immediately regain possession. We lacked coordination at times. The one or two counter-attacks that led to chances for Wuppertal were down to us," said the Bayer 04 coach after the game. "But the three friendlies also showed we haven't made fantastic progress in terms of converting chances. Above all in the second half, we could have made more of one or the other chance to get the ball over the line if we'd have been more clinical," said Herrlich who was unable to be too positive after the third win on the bounce without conceding.
At the same time, the boss had to manage without a number of players on Tuesday night in Wuppertal: Again he was missing Charles Aránguiz (knee), Lukas Hradecky (jaw), Dominik Kohr (knee), Paulinho (training), Joel Pohjanpalo (thigh) and Panos Retsos (hand). They were joined on Tuesday night by Jonathan Tah (training) and Sven Bender, who had to ease off after picking up a knock in the friendly against Sportfreunde Siegen. The Bayer 04 head coach against boosted his squad with U19 players Ayman Azhil, Jan Boller, Adrian Stanilewicz and Cebralis Makreckis auf.
In Azhil, Boller and Stanilewicz, three of the youngsters were in the line-up against the fourth division team, at home 30 kilometres from Leverkusen, who start their season at the weekend. The hosts were suitably fit and positive in front of 3,400 spectators and they did well at the start to keep the Herrlich team away from their own goal. At least early on. As the game progressed, the Werkself created a number of chances but just missed the target at times. At the other end, the Bayer 04 defence did not give much away but were lucky before the break: A headed goal for Wuppertal from a corner was ruled out due to a foul – and keeper Ramazan Özcan reacted brilliantly in two one-on-ones. The two teams were level at 0-0 at the break.
Herrlich made six changes at half-time. Nevertheless, the loss of energy was evident on both sides with temperatures of 35 degrees during the game. The Werkself created a number of promising opportunities to score – with the majority not producing the desired result . Leon Bailey did better just after the hour mark when his shot from the edge of the box on the left that found its way into the Wuppertal net at the near post – 1-0. Substitute Jakub Bednarczyk doubled the lead with twelve minutes to play. Luck was on his side when the ball was deflected into net on 78 minutes. Bayer 04 saw out the 2-0 victory..
The match was overshadowed ten minutes after the restart when substitute Karim Bellarabi fainted. The 28-year-old winger was treated on the touchline by the Bayer 04 medics before being taken to a local hospital for further tests. "He has regained consciousnesses and is responsive and is doing well. Of course, we'll have to wait and see what happens with the diagnosis," explained Herrlich who said the "extreme heat" was a possible cause. "Even if you're not playing, it can be have a dramatic effect on the body," declared the 46-year-old coach. Herrlich announced there would be a recovery session at the BayArena on Wednesday.
The next pre-season friendly for the Werkself is on Saturday (28 July, 18.00 CET) away to Dutch top-flight side Fortuna Sittard. The Bayer 04 squad head off the next day to the training camp in Austria (29 July to 5 August).
Bayer 04: Özcan (Kirschbaum 46') – Henrichs, Boller, Dragovic, Wendell (Bednarczyk 62') – Lars Bender (Baumgartlinger 46'), Stanilewicz (Havertz 46') – Schreck (Weiser 46'), Azhil, Bellarabi (Bailey 46') – Volland (Alario 46')
A simple approach to sport with games, fun and a highlight at the end: Bayer 04 organised a very special training session for 40 participants aged between six and 27 in cooperation with the Football Association of the Middle Rhine (FVM). At the day of action for women and girls with disabilities at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre, many of the participants gained their first experience of football.
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On Saturday, 28 March, the lights will go out again at the BayArena from 20:30 pm to 21:30. As in previous years, Bayer 04 once again take part in the WWF Earth Hour campaign under the motto "We're switching off" as the club wants to set a collective example for more climate and environmental protection together with people, cities and companies around the world.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen are bringing back Kerim Alajbegovic, who joined Red Bull Salzburg in the summer of 2025. The Bundesliga club activated the buy-back option in the contract with the Bosnia international, who has enjoyed great success at the Austrian top-flight club since the start of the current season. Alajbegovic moved to Salzburg from the Leverkusen U19s last year. The 1.86-metre forward has signed a five-year contract at Leverkusen with a start date of 1 July 2026.
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Less than a year ago, Kerim Alajbegovic moved from the Bayer 04 U19s to Austrian top-flight club FC Red Bull Salzburg. The forward’s development since then has been impressive. In 36 matches, including in the UEFA Europa League, the 18-year-old has scored 14 goals. In the summer, Alajbegovic, now a Bosnia international, will return to Leverkusen - and thus not only achieve the next milestone still early in his career, but also enrich the Werkself squad with his footballing versatility and determination.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with forward Nathan Tella ahead of schedule. The versatile 26-year-old, who can be deployed as a right winger, false nine or left winger, has penned a new contract to 30 June 2031. Tella joined the Werkself from Championship club Southampton in 2023. His previous contract ran to the summer of 2028.
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