"It was a good test for us even though the result is not good of course. We dominated, we played on the front foot and we could have scored more goals as we had enough chances," said Peter Bosz in summing up the game. As was the case a week ago, in the double matchday at Kurtekotten with games against Sittard (0-1) and Eupen (3-4), the Werkself head coach split his squad up into two teams for the matches against Watford and SD Eibar from Spain. The simple explanation: All his players were to get a lot of time on the pitch. "It's important that everybody plays a full game and we don't get any injuries," said the Dutchman.
Playing against the team that finished eleventh in the Premier League last season with temperatures around 30 degrees at the Alois Latini Stadium in Zell am See, his side exerted pressure from the start and endeavoured to dominate proceedings and get forward. However, the opening goal was scored by the increasingly physical English team playing on the break: Will Hughes converted a whipped-in cross from the right side of the box to give Watford a 1-0 lead at the break (35').
Bayer 04 upped the tempo in the second 45 and created a number of chances that unfortunately went unconverted or were saved by the Watford keeper Heurelho Gomes. Instead it was the Hornets who struck for a second time – Andre Gray exploited a misplaced pass from Lukas Hradecky and he doubled the lead on 56 minutes. Towards the end, coach Javi Gracia's side dropped back and only mounted a couple of counter-attacks in the rest of the game. In contrast to the Werkself with new signing Moussa Diaby netting his first goal for the Black and Reds that provided some reward for the Werkself's efforts. Shortly after that, a Kevin Volland goal was ruled out for offside (69'). Above all in the closing stages, Bayer 04 pressed for the equaliser but were unable to find the back of the net. "The way the two goals we conceded came about was not good play by us. We can't afford to give the ball away and we have to be better organised. But the performance, and particularly our tempo, in the second half pleased me more," said Bosz.
Bayer 04: Hradecky – Weiser, Dragovic, Sven Bender, Wendell – Lars Bender, Demirbay – Havertz, Paulinho, Diaby – Volland
Strengthening the Bayer 04 Leverkusen youth teams: Konstantinos Kotsifakis will join the Werkself from Bundesliga 2 club Hertha Berlin for the 2026/27 season, where he will be a permanent member of the Leverkusen U19 coaching set-up. The German-Greek will also take on an operational role in coaching the Bayer 04 Future Team. The 29-year-old was most recently head coach of the U17s at Hertha Berlin.
Show more
Another award for the Bayer 04 head groundsman and staff: After coming top in the 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2024/25 seasons, the BayArena pitch came second in the Bundesliga Pitch of the Year ranking for the 2025/26 season. VfL Wolfsburg secured the top spot this year, with TSG Hoffenheim in third place.
Show more
Opening opponents, derby weekends, the opponents in the season finale: This information and more will be available to Bayer 04 fans on Thursday, 2 July, when the 2026/27 Bundesliga fixture list is published.
Show more
The next footballing highlight is just around the corner: the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 23rd edition of the tournament, will be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico and feature 48 teams for the first time. Bayer04.de has all the latest on the Werkself players called up to represent their countries.
Show more
While the majority of the Bayer 04 Women are enjoying their summer break, nine Werkself players will be on duty for their national teams in the coming days. Three of them are competing for a place at the World Cup, while six are involved in two friendlies with the Germany U23 team.
Show more
