Matches of the month: Salvation in Black and Red
A home win against Hamburg SV that avoided relegation and a nail-biting victory against VfL Bochum that led to the Champions League season of 2001/02. Matches of the month in May.
Salvation for the newcomers
In the first season in the top-flight in 1979/80, Bayer 04 were only in a relegation spot once – after matchday one and a 3-1 defeat against Bayern in Munich. Nevertheless, the Werkself remained close to the drop zone. On matchday 33, the champions of Germany and league leaders Hamburg SV came to the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The situation is tense as Bayer 04 need every point with just three separating them from the relegation places. Salvation finally comes after 90 minutes. In a dramatic match, HSV are beaten 2-1 and the whole of Leverkusen can look forward to another season in the Bundesliga.
Salvation after an eventful season
After a bumpy start to the season and the Christoph Daum affair in November 2000, matchday 13 produces a 3-1 win at Hamburg SV and the surprising rise to the top of the table. However, being league leaders does not last long under the new coach Berti Vogts and his two assistants Pierre Littbarski and Wolfgang Rolff. The sporting rollercoaster ride continues after the winter break with lots of highs and lows. On matchday 34, the Werkself achieved a nail-biting 1-0 win against VfL Bochum thanks to a very good Frank Juric in goal and a strike from Oliver Neuville. Finishing fourth in the table qualifies Leverkusen for the qualifying rounds in the Champions League in 2001/02. And every Bayer 04 fan knows what happened then...
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