In an exciting encounter, the team coached by Christian Wück came back from a goal down at half-time to secure 2-1 win in the last minute with goals from Elias Abouchabaka of RB Leipzig (66') and Jan-Fiete Arp of Hamburg SV (79'). Bayer 04 talent Jan Boller played from the start in central defence and, together with Lars Mai, they made an impressive contribution to Germany taking control in the second half Lars Mai.
Wück proud of his team
"We showed a lot of passion in the second half and we were determined to win. Hats off to my team for the way they turned the game round. We created goalscoring opportunities in the second half and made our own luck,", said coach Wück in an interview with dfb.de.
Semi-final against Spain
The semi-final on Tuesday (20.30 CET, live on Eurosport) against favourites Spain poses the biggest challenge's possible in this tournament. However, the target is clear for the German lads. "Of course, we want to go through to the European Championship final," said quarter-final goalscorer Abouchabaka. Bad luck for Jan Boller as he is suspended for the game against Spain after picking up a second yellow card.,
The second semi-final is between Turkey and England. The final of the tournament Croatia is on Friday .
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.
Show more
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.
Show more
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.
Show more
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.
Show more
