...the last two league games against Wolfsburg (1-4) and Freiburg (1-0): We produced a focussed performance in Freiburg. You can’t ignore how well and with intensity Wolfsburg and Freiburg defend. Every team finds it hard going against those two sides. In addition, it’s now well known that our tempo in attack can be very dangerous. That has led to opponents not allowing us as much space to play on the break. We still have five games to go where we’ll find other means and ways and we’ll have to see what weapons we can use for each game.
...the next opponents FC Bayern: They always have a lot more possession than their opponents and are good at pressing and counter-pressing under Hansi Flick. They are aggressive and are quick to opponents under pressure. You can see that from watching them and the stats show it as well. We’ll face a team on Saturday who will be up for the game, very intensive in challenges and will want to win the ball high up the pitch. We had a similar sort of game in Munich. And, nevertheless, there was space and we found it. We want to do the same at the weekend.
...the tight race in the Bundesliga for a Champions League finish: The high standard of the top five is impressive. There are few slip-ups. There are still five games to play and some very important games coming up in quick succession.
…the messages from the Bundesliga players Jadon Sancho, Weston McKennie, Marcus Thuram and Anthony Modeste at the weekend following the death of the African American George Floyd in the USA: I think the messages sent from the Bundesliga so far have mainly been positive and very commendable. For example, if I think of Wendell, who also has religious messages on his undershirt, then they are primarily encouraging and decent messages. It’s about solidarity and humanity. In the specific case of a negative or questionable message, the club or association can intervene.
…the recent restart of league fixtures in his home country Austria: I’m very happy for them. They have matches coming up in the next few weeks – similar to the third division in Germany. But the whole country has been waiting a long time for the comeback and the lockdown was very tough. Therefore, the players are now happy and are looking forward to playing again. The infrastructure and the health system in Austria are comparable with those in Germany.
Following the press conference, Baumgartlinger made himself available to Bayer 04 TV for an interview. Click HERE for the video.
Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.
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Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
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Rogier Meijer is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and returning to his native Netherlands: The 44-year-old will take over at Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam on 1 July. Meijer has been part of the Werkself coaching set-up since the start of the 2025/26 season - first as assistant coach to Erik ten Hag, then on Kasper Hjulmand's staff.
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Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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