The winger was in the starting eleven on Monday night for the France U21s in Azerbaijan. The game ended in a 2-1 victory that saw Moussa Diaby and Co. secure important points in the race to qualify for the U21 European Championships next year. France remain second in Group 2 but are top in the rankings of the second-placed teams – making qualification for the Euros appear almost certain.
Also on Monday night, Austria entertained Romania in the Nations League. Werkself stalwart Julian Baumgartlinger led his team onto the field as captain with Aleksandar Dragovic on the bench this time. Austria were unable to build on their 2-1 win in the opening game against Norway; they suffered a 3-2 defeat against Romania. Baumgartlinger and Co. are now second in Group 1 (League B).
There was a double blow for the Germany U21s, with Werkself keeper Lennart Grill in the side, in the middle of the first half against Belgium. Central defender Amos Pieper was shown a red card on 18 minutes for a professional foul and the resulting free kick ended up in the back of the net (19'). Lukas Nmecha levelled for Germany on the half-hour mark. However, the hosts succeeded in clocking up a 4-1 win. Grill and Co. now have to worry about qualifying for the U21 European Championships. Germany are currently fifth in the ranking of second-placed teams – the last position that ensures qualification for the Euros.
There was a repeat of the 2018 World Cup final in Paris on Tuesday night. World Cup winners France entertained Croatia in League A (Group 3) of the Nations League – and again left the pitch as winners. At the end of an entertaining encounter, the French side secured a 4-2 victory. Werkself player Tin Jedvaj did not play for Croatia on the night.
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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