Back
4.05.2020Bayer 04

32 years ago: 3-0 defeat at Espanyol

Bayer 04 fans are very happy to recall winning the UEFA Cup in 1988. Memories of the first leg are anythung but positive. The Werkself were away at Espanyol on 4 May 1988. The team led by head coach Erich Ribbeck went into the first match of the final in confident mood after 14 games unbeaten on the European stage – but the journey home was a quiet affair after a clear and extremely disappointing 3-0 defeat at the Estadio de Sarrià.

Following victory in the semi-final against Werder Bremen, the future champions of Germany, there was much confidence at Bayer 04 both amongst the fans as wellas the players and coaches. Espanyol were impressive en route to the final, knocking out Borussia Mönchengladbach and FC Brugge as well as the two Italian heavyweights AC and Inter Milan.

It was looking good in Barcelona for much of the game. The Black and Reds appeared to be in control of the game much to the joy of the 2,000 travelling fans but there was no penetration to the opposition goal. Considering that Thomas Hörster and Christian Schreier were injured and Erich Seckler was suspended and Bum-kun Cha went off injured after 18 minutes, it was all going well for Leverkusen...

Vollborn, Ribbeck And Co. iN Video

The remaining course of the final first leg is available in the highlights video from Bayer 04 TV. Here, the former Werkself players Rüdiger Vollborn, Falko Götz, Wolfgang Rolff and head coach Erich Ribbeck recall the clash.

A detailed article on the 30th anniversary from 2018 is available HERE.

Match stats:

Espanyol: N'Kono – Gallart – Job, Miguel Angel – Orejuela (Golobart 66’), Inaki, Urkiaga, Soler – Valverde, Pichi Alonso (Lauridsen 69’), Losada

Bayer 04: Vollborn – Rolff – De Keyser, A. Reinhardt, Hinterberger – Cha (Götz 18’), Tita, Buncol, Falkenmayer (K. Reinhardt 75’) – Waas, Täuber

Goals: 1-0 Losada (44’), 2-0 Soler (49’), 3-0 Losada (57’)

Referee: Krchnak (Czechoslovakia)

Booked: Täuber

​Attendance: 42,000 at the Estadi Sarrià (Barcelona)

 

sky_2004_movie_300x250.jpg

Related News

Derby win on Carnival friday | 18th matchday
Werkself-TV - 13.02.2026

Women: TV-highlights of 2-1 win in derby against Köln

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 2-1 win against FC Köln on the 18th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.

Show more
Willkommen Aleksa Damjanovic | Bayer 04 verpflichtet Sturm-Talent von Roter Stern Belgrad
Werkself-TV - 13.02.2026

First interview with Aleksa Damjanovic: ‘This step means a lot to me’

Bayer 04 have secured the services of Serbia U19 international Aleksa Damjanovic for next season. The 17-year-old centre-forward will move from Red Star Belgrade to Leverkusen in the summer on a long-term contract. The 1.98 metre tall striker is regarded as one of the most promising attacking talents in Europe and has recently impressed with strong performances at both first team and youth level. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes and director of football Kim Falkenberg particularly praise his finishing, heading ability and physical presence in the penalty area.

Show more
FC St. Pauli beim Torjubel
Bundesliga - 13.02.2026

Our next opponents update: FC St. Pauli bounce back

After seven games without a win, the 2-1 home victory against VfB Stuttgart last weekend provided a real boost for the Kiezkicker and their fans. FC St. Pauli now head to Leverkusen again with plenty of momentum. On Saturday, 14 February (kick-off: 15:30 CET), the Hamburg side face Bayer 04 for the third time this season, with the last game against the Werkself less than a fortnight ago. Despite the defeat in the DFB Pokal quarter-final, coach Alexander Blessin's team can take some positives from that game. The update on our next opponents.

Show more
Marc Landwehr
eSports - 13.02.2026

#B04eSports: Perfect yield at the start of final showdown

The Bayer 04 eSports team made a great start to the fifth and final showdown in the VBL Club Championship 2025/26! The Leverkusen players picked up nine points in the first three of six matches in the online preliminary round. Victories against VfL Wolfsburg, Eintracht Braunschweig and SpVgg Greuther Fürth not only put the Black and Reds in a good position to progress to the offline round. Valuable points were also collected for the overall table and direct entry into the final event of the German Club Championship.

Show more
Gegner-Check
eSports - 12.02.2026

#B04eSports: Bottom three at start of final showdown

The fifth and final showdown of the VBL Club Championship 2025/26 begins for the #B04eSports team this Thursday, 12 February (live on the VBL Twitch channel from 18:00 CET), with the online preliminary round kicking off against VfL Wolfsburg, Eintracht Braunschweig and SpVgg Greuther Fürth. The lowdown on our next opponents.

Show more