Roger Schmidt wanted to use the final friendly before Sunday’s Bundesliga home game against Hertha Berlin (15.30 CET) to check on form and provide match practice for recently injured players in particular. Karim Bellarabi started against Bochum. Kevin Volland’s planned comeback was put back due to slight back problem. “It’s important and good to get time on the pitch particularly given the wintry conditions expected for Sunday against VfL.
A cross from Wendell on three minutes, that landed on the bar, represented the first shot on goal for the Werkself. The lead came five minutes later: Bellarabi passed to Hakan Calhanoglu on the right corner of the opposition box and the low drive from the Turkey international beat the Bochum keeper Felix Dornebusch. At the other end, a shot from 17-year-old Ulrich Bapoh flew just wide of Niklas Lomb’s goal (14’).
Very dominant and good combination play
With the exception of that shot from the visitors it was Bayer 04 who clearly controlled the first half with effective pressing and the second goal almost came when a shot from Chicharito went just wide of the upright on 18 minutes and ten minutes later Julian Brandt narrowly missed the far corner. Leverkusen moved the ball very quickly and effectively and the attractive and high tempo approach presented Bochum with a range of problems. Brandt, Bellarabi, Calhanoglu and Chicharito were clearly enjoying the Werkself’s dominance.
Roger Schmidt reshuffled his team at the break with Lomb the only player to come back out for the second half and Bochum made six changes. Admir Mehmedi had the first chance after the restart but Manuel Riemann in the Bochum goal was able to tip his low shot round the post (51’). On the hour mark, Joel Pohjanpalo squared the ball but the Swiss striker was unable to connect. Lomb was finally called into action shortly after that: First, he pulled off a brilliant save to frustrate Johannes Wurtz (61’) and then luck was on his side with a shot from Peniel Mlapa (70’).
Danger keeps cool
Danny da Costa hobbled off after a challenge with Nils Quaschner and he was replaced by Sam Schreck. Then it was Danger time at the Haberland Stadium: Pohjanpalo raced halfway down the pitch and coolly slotted the ball past Riemann to make it 2-0 for the Werkself (80’). Lomb was centre stage again when he kept out a Saglam free kick on 87 minutes. The capable keeper was then helpless to prevent the visitors scoring a consolation goal on 88 minutes.
Bayer 04 in the first half:
Lomb – Henrichs, Toprak, Dragovic, Wendell – Kampl, Aránguiz – Bellarabi, Brandt – Calhanoglu, Chicharito
Bayer 04 in the second half:
Lomb – da Costa (Schreck 78’), Tah, Jedvaj, Boeder – Baumgartlinger, Yurchenko – Havertz, Mehmedi – Kießling, Pohjanpalo
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
