Back
1.04.2024Bayer 04

Match of the month: 40 years ago - Battle for a UEFA Cup spot

It was a beautiful Easter Saturday in 1984 and the Ulrich Haberland Stadium was the venue for a clash between sixth-placed Bayer 04 Leverkusen and ninth-placed FC Kaiserslautern. Four points separated the sides in the battle for a UEFA Cup spot.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

The football magazine kicker described the match on 21 April 1984 in front of 9,500 spectators as follows:

Game decided inside a minute

Two goals from Herbert Waas after a good ten weeks out injured, a decent performance from Wolfgang Patzke after an even longer lay-off and a penalty save from Rüdiger Vollborn were the pleasing circumstances surrounding Bayer 04 Leverkusen's 2-0 win over FC Kaiserslautern, with which the Werkself finally eliminated a potential rival for a UEFA Cup spot.

Although Leverkusen were able to send out their preferred first XI for the first time that season, not everything went according to plan, especially as Kaiserslautern had a goalkeeper in Ronnie Hellström who consistently frustrated the opposition strikers with his saves.

The game was then decided inside a minute, as Waas slotted home straight after Eilenfeldt's missed penalty to make it 2-0, after Hellström had only been able to palm away a shot from Cha, who had a brilliant game but was unlucky with his finishing.

Kaiserslautern turned up the pressure after going behind, with Brehme in particular standing out, but the best they could manage was a superb shot by Hübner that hit the post.

Vöge in particular failed to improve on the result for Leverkusen from counter-attacks towards the end of the game.

19830421_B04_FCK_0020.jpg

When coach Dettmar Cramer was asked about the Werkself's UEFA Cup dreams after the game, he replied: "We have a good chance, why shouldn't we be able to take it?"

 

Ultimately, they would finish the season in seventh place, but it was a Bayer 04 team’s first-ever sniff of a UEFA Cup spot, which would only be achieved for the first time under the stewardship of coach Erich Ribbeck in 1986.

 

Related News

Peter Zanter wird 60 | Geburtstagskind des Monats November I
Bayer 04 - 01.11.2025

Birthday boy of the month 1: Peter Zanter turns 60

Peter Zanter was born on 11 November 1965 in Wermelskirchen in the Rhineland. His passion for football was evident from an early age: As a child, he played enthusiastically for the youth teams at SV Dabringhausen and SV Wermelskirchen. His ability and discipline did not go undetected for long - and he joined the youth section at Bayer 04 at a young age.

Show more
Boris Zivkovic wird 50 | Geburtstagskind des Monats November II
Bayer 04 - 01.11.2025

Birthday boy of the month 2: Boris Zivkovic turns 50

Boris Zivkovic was born on 15 November 1975 in the Bosnian town of Zivinice, which is now part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He played for FK Sarajevo at a young age. However, his youth was characterised by the turmoil of the wars in the former Yugoslavia. At the age of just 17, he was also called up and took part in the fighting - a fate shared by many young men of his generation.

Show more
Rüdiger Vollborn mit Dr. Jürgen Schwericke
Bayer 04 - 01.11.2025

Legends: Under the Cross for 44 years

For once, this is going to be about me. About my path into football, my years as a goalkeeper at Bayer 04 and my ‘career after my career’ at this great club. So, come with me on a little journey through time...

Show more
crop_19851101_Hoerster_Zechel_Waas_Glass_Schreier.jpg
Bayer 04 - 01.11.2025

Match of the month: 40 years ago - Bayer 04 hit the jackpot

It is 1 November 1985, a Friday evening, floodlights on. The leaders Werder Bremen with their coach Otto Rehhagel come to the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. 15,000 spectators want to watch this top match, as the Werkself, with their new coach Erich Ribbeck, are in fourth place in the table, just five points behind the leaders.

Show more
Hakan Calhanoglu
Bayer 04 - 01.11.2025

Goals of the month: From Demuth to Calhanoglu

In the video you can see impressive and important goals in Bayer 04 history from the month of November. It's not always about the beauty of the goals, but also a reminder of special games and players.

Show more