Back
18.05.2020Bayer 04

32 years ago today: Werkself win the UEFA Cup

Leverkusen, 18 May 1988, after 23.00 CET – a city in a transport of delight and an absolutely exceptional situation: From a position of being almost unknown in Europe at the time, the Werkself stormed onto the stage of football to win the UEFA Cup against Espanyol with a memorable performance in the second leg that included a penalty shootout.

It looked like a lost cause after the 3-0 defeat in the first leg in Barcelona. And yet, hope and promise lay in the Leverkusen air on the evening of 18 May 1988. The crowd were waving flags with 18,000 Bayer 04 fans amongst the 22,000 at the Haberland Stadium, that was being redeveloped, singing loud in hope of creating a sensation. The West Stand was a skeleton with a couple of hundred temporary seats installed at short notice to cater for the club staff and journalists. What followed was a performance by the Werkself that has not lost any of its drama and emotion after 32 years. Bayer 04 TV brought highlights of the second leg of the 1988 UEFA Cup final...

Anniversary party at the BayArena

30 years later there was a big anniversary celebration at the 1904 Lounge at the BayArena: The UEFA Cup heroes of 1988 were clearly full of joy at that reunion.

Match information:

Bayer 04: Vollborn – Rolff – Seckler, A. Reinhardt – Schreier (Waas 46’), Cha, Buncol, Falkenmayer, K. Reinhardt – Götz, Tita (Täuber 62’)

Espanyol: N'Kono – Miguel Angel – Job, Gallard, Urkiaga – Orejuela (Zubillaga 67’), Inaki, Golobart (Zuniga 73’), Soler – Alonso, Losada

Goals: 1-0 Tita (58’), 2-0 Götz (63’), 3-0 Cha (81’)

Penalty shootout: Rolff, Waas and Täuber scored for Bayer 04, Alonso and Job for Espanyol

Referee: Keizer (Netherlands)

Booked: A. Reinhardt, K. Reinhardt – Miguel Angel, Zubillaga

Attendance: 22,000 (sold out)

sky_comeback_300x250.jpg

Related News

Kurzpässe vor #B04SVW
Bundesliga - 24.01.2026

Matchday News #B04SVW: ‘!Never Again’ remembrance matchday and Schick's 30th birthday

This afternoon, Saturday 24 January (kick-off: 15.30 CET), Bayer 04 host SV Werder Bremen, who are winless in their last seven league games. Nevertheless, in their last outing, a 3-3 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt, where they conceded a late equaliser, the Green and Whites did show their team spirit. The Werkself, led by birthday boy Patrik Schick, will be looking to counter this and secure their first three points of the new year on this ‘!Never Again’ remembrance matchday to commemorate the victims of National Socialism. Read on for the latest information in today's matchday news.

Show more
Birthday Schick Free Jersey Print
Fans - 24.01.2026

For Schick's milestone birthday: free print and jersey giveaway

Happy birthday, Patrik Schick! On his special day, it's not just the Czech striker who can look forward to lots of presents and hopefully many more goals – Bayer 04 fans can also get their hands on a free number 14 print when they buy a Werkself jersey today, January 24! In addition, a match-worn jersey belonging to the now 30-year-old will be raffled off among all purchasers next week.

Show more
Women win despite being outnumbered | 15th matchday
Werkself-TV - 23.01.2026

Women: TV-highlights of 2-1 win at Union Berlin

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 2-1 win at 1. FC Union Berlin on the 15th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.

Show more
Jubel der Werkself
Women - 23.01.2026

Bayer 04 Women reduced to ten in 2-1 win at Union Berlin

Despite a severely depleted squad and being a player down, the Bayer 04 Women made a winning start to their 2026 campaign. Coach Roberto Pätzold's team won 2-1 at newly promoted FC Union Berlin on Friday night thanks to a last-minute goal. Vanessa Fudalla scored from a direct free-kick (78') and Kristin Kögel (90+2’) in stoppage time for the Werkself, who were reduced to ten players on 68 minutes, on an atmospheric stage at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. As a result, the Black and Reds are now fifth in the table for at least one night at the start of matchday 15.

Show more
Die PK vor dem Bundesliga-Heimspiel gegen den SV Werder Bremen | 19. Spieltag
Werkself-TV - 23.01.2026

Hjulmand ahead of #B04SVW: ‘Get into the game better than last time’

The Werkself are looking for the first win of the new calendar year: Ahead of the sold-out Bundesliga home match against SV Werder Bremen on Saturday, 24 January (kick-off: 15:30 CET), head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about taking chances, possible winter transfers and a “Lion" returning to the Leverkusen matchday squad.

Show more