On 18 May 1988, they all took part in the first title won by Bayer 04 on that legendary night at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium with the 'Miracle of Leverkusen' in the return leg of the final against Espanyol. Together with around 300 fans, the players from back then not only recalled the memorable fightback after being 3-0 down in the first leg and the dramatic penalty shootout in the return leg but also reviewed the whole UEFA Cup season. Austria Vienna, FC Toulouse, Feyenoord, FC Barcelona, Werder Bremen and finally Espanyol in the two-legged final– were the opponents in the competition. 13 of the UEFA Cup winners of 1988 came together to review that special season in a relaxed atmosphere. Marcus Feinbier, Florian Hinterberger, Christian Schreier, Falko Götz, Christian Hausmann, Andrzej Buncol, Wolfgang Rolff, Erich Seckler, Knut Reinhardt, Bernd Dreher and Rüdiger Vollborn took part along with assistant coach Gerd Kentschke and the then general manager Michael Meier.
Vollborn, one of the Bayer 04 fan liaison team and a proud cup winner, organised the meeting together with Dirk Dreher, the manager of the Veterans team. The event in the West stand at the BayArena was compered by stadium announcer Tobias Ufer who invited the heroes of yesteryear up to the stage for interview one at a time. "We watched video highlights of all the games with the fans and then spoke about them in detail with one or two anecdotes exchanged," said Rüdiger Vollborn. "It was a wonderful night." Many of the fans present took the opportunity to have themselves photographed with the UEFA Cup or to buy the white special kit commemorating the 1998 triumph, which the Werkself players wore in the last Bundesliga away game of the season at Werder Bremen.
In fact, 18 May is not the only time this year that former winners will meet up. "We've planned another big meeting in September or October where we'll celebrate with the 1988 UEFA Cup winners as well as the DFB Cup winners of 1993. Then, Tita and Bum-kun Cha, who weren't here this time, will be at the event," said Vollborn. An event with fans is also planned for 12 June to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the DFB Cup win. Bayer 04 will definitely not fail to celebrate these events this year.
“Diaby! Diaby! Diaby!” was the cry around the BayArena as the Werkself danced in front of the north stand following their 4-0 win over Union Berlin. Captain Edmond Tapsoba gave his new (and old) teammate a friendly shove forward to take in the acclaim from the fans. The returning Frenchman was typically reserved in thanking the supporters but was clearly emotional about what was happening.
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The Bundesliga is back at the BayArena this Saturday as Bayer 04 play their first home game of the 2026/27 campaign against Union Berlin (15:30 CEST). Moussa Diaby could make his second debut for the Werkself following his return to Leverkusen – and it would be an ideal fixture for the Frenchman. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the encounter in our matchday news.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 2-1 at TSG Hoffenheim on the 3rd matchday of the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga 2026/27.
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Paulina Tomasiak’s maiden Bundesliga goal helped Bayer 04 Women to their second away victory of the 2026/27 Google Pixel Bundesliga as Roberto Pätzold’s side won 2-1 at Hoffenheim on Matchday 3. Loreen Bender had scored inside two minutes on Friday evening before the hosts levelled, but Tomasiak came off the bench to secure all three points at the Dietmar-Hopp-Stadion.
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