
Peter Bosz on...
...the international between Germany and the Netherlands: “It will definitely be fun. Two teams are playing each other where I know a number of the players. I'm assuming Germany will win. They are at home and strong in every position. Above all with Jona, Jule and Kai: If Joachim Löw plays the three of them then Holland don't stand a chance. (He says with a smile).”
...the Bayer 04 injury list: “With the exception of Joel Pohjanpalo, all the players have been training for the last three weeks. I'm happy about that. That meant we were able to do a lot in terms of fitness and our way of playing. Our tasks as coaches consists of being able to put the best players on the pitch, to continually improve their fitness and ensure they play well together. We're on the right path. The players are fresh and fit.”
...Daley Sinkgraven: “The pace of the game in the Bundesliga is higher than in the Eredivisie. He'll have to get used to that. You don't even have much time in training as I always expect 100 per cent from my players. They close down space and you have to think and act quickly. Daley is ready now. I never worried about signing him.”
...Sinkgraven's game: “Daley is a former attacker who moved back under me. He can be very aggressive and he has to be. At the same time he's a good player. He rarely loses possession and plays a good final ball. And he's also very consistent. He played the whole season under me at Ajax.”
...chances of playing for national teams at Bayer 04: “The example of Lucas Alario shows you can make yourself available for the national team here. It is possible. Lucas hasn't played for a long time but he earned his call up with good performances in the final stages of last season. The same applies to Wendell. I can't really judge how good the competition is in the Brazil team but I'm sure they follow his performances back home in Brazil.”
...Wendell's development: “It's crucial for him: He has to be focused. If he does that then he has great quality – both offensively and defensively. If he doesn't do that then he drops off and doesn't have the desire. As in the friendly against Watford. But his development is good. Absolutely. He looks more solid than in the second half of last season. I can't say whether that's linked to having Daley as competition or whether he feels the confidence of the coach now. And his German continues to improve. And it's good for him that he is now on the team committee. He's taking on more responsibility. For example, for Moussa Diaby. If you look at the two together then you get the impression that Wendell speaks French. (He laughs). He can’t actually speak a word… Of course, Wendell is a great guy. But the only thing that counts in the end is his performance on the pitch.”


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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