Back
16.05.2022Bayer 04

News in brief: A brilliant Rückrunde and promotion to the Bundesliga

Last weekend saw a lot of action from a Black and Red perspective: The Werkself just missed out on top ranking in the second half of the season, two Bayer 04 players are named in team of the matchday, and a Leverkusen loanee is promoted to the Bundesliga. Today’s news in brief.
crop_20220514_NB_B04_Vs_Freiburg_36843.jpg

Bayer 04 end the 2021/22 Bundesliga season in third place following last Saturday’s 2-1 home win against SC Freiburg. The Werkself are second in the form table for the Rückrunde level on points with RB Leipzig in first place who ended their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Arminia Bielefeld. The team led by coach Gerardo Seoane picked up an impressive 36 points in the second half of the season with a goal difference of 40 to 19 – Leipzig (42-15).

That represents an increase of eight points for the Black and Reds in the Hinrunde. Hradecky and Co. were in fourth place with 28 points after matchday 17 with 40 goals scored and 28 conceded. Over the whole season, Bayer 04 were equally effective in attack with the defence more solid in the Rückrunde.

Paulinho and Palacios in team of the matchday

The Sportschau named two Bayer 04 players in their team of matchday 34. Paulinho impressed in the win against Sport Club Freiburg with his “exceptional class.” The ARD TV programme explained the selection as follows: “He again and again showed his pace down the flanks and often cut inside – to pose a threat on goal himself.”

For Exequiel Palacios it was his outstanding stamina. The Argentina international was ahead of all the other players with 12.4 kilometres covered. In addition, the midfield dynamo scored the winner at 2-1 with a long-range effort from the semi-circle.

germany squad – Tah in with good chance

Germany coach Hansi Flick will announce his squad for the forthcoming international fixtures on Thursday 19 May. First, there is a short training camp in Marbella from 25 to 27 May and that will be followed in July by four games in the UEFA Nations League Hansi Flick.

Bayer 04 defender Jonathan Tah is in with a good chance of being called up. The Germany international with 15 caps was last called up for the last international break at the end of March. The Werkself number four has impressed during the closing stages of the Bundesliga season with consistent performances and he made a decisive contribution to Bayer 04 qualifying for the Champions League.

loanee update: Weiser celebrates Bundesliga promotion

Mitchell Weiser helped seal the return of Werder Bremen to the Bundesliga on Sunday 15 May. The North German side, out of the top-flight for a year, will be back next season. The 28-year-old defender made 24 appearances in the second division for Werder Bremen scoring two goals and providing two assists. Congratulations on the promotion, Mitch.

Joel Pohjanpalo is currently on loan at top-flight Turkish club Çaykur Rizespor. The relegation of his loan club from the SüperLig was confirmed with a game to play but the Finland international currently shares second place in the top goalscorers’ list with 16 goals. Only Umut Bozok (18) of Kasimpasa SK has scored more. 

Nadiem Amiri joined Genoa CFC in Serie A in January 2022. The big Italian club is in a relegation spot on the penultimate matchday of the season. A win next Sunday 22 May against Bologna could take Amiri and Co. out of the drop zone if their rivals lose. The 25-year-old midfielder made twelve appearances in the second half of the season and he has provided two assists to date.

Related News

Ezequiel Fernández in Augsburg
Bundesliga - 12.09.2026

2-2 at Augsburg – Werkself secure late point

Bayer 04 earned a 2-2 draw at FC Augsburg on Bundesliga Matchday 3 with a late equaliser. The Werkself led at half-time through Christian Kofane's strike but the hosts, who went in the game as league leaders, turned it around with a quickfire double from Michael Gregoritsch after the break. The Black-and-Reds didn't give up, though, and salvaged a point thanks to substitute Patrik Schick's flick in the 89th minute.

Show more
20241214_JS1_4760.jpg
Bundesliga - 12.09.2026

Matchday news: Continue improving form against Augsburg record starters

After the first win of the season against 1. FC Union Berlin (4-0) last weekend, the Werkself are aiming to collect another three points at FC Augsburg on Saturday 12 September (kick-off 15:30 CEST). The hosts, meanwhile, are enjoying their best-ever start to a Bundesliga campaign and go into Matchday 3 top of the table for the first time. The Matchday News.

Show more
LIVE ab 11.45 Uhr | Die PK vor dem Auswärtsspiel in Augsburg | 3. Spieltag
Werkself-TV - 11.09.2026

Martínez ahead of the clash with league leaders FCA: ‘We need to be focused and give it our all’

The Werkself are away to FC Augsburg on matchday 3 of the 2026/27 Bundesliga season. The game at the WWK Arena against the current – and for the first time – league leaders of the German top flight is on Saturday 12 September at 15:30 CEST. Ahead of the match, head coach Carles Martínez spoke about this week’s training and the team’s approach to the fixture, as they face an opponent brimming with confidence. The Spaniard also addressed a number of squad matters.

Show more
Mannschaftskreis FC Augsburg
Bundesliga - 11.09.2026

Our next opponents: League leaders with strong mentality and great squad depth

FC Augsburg are top of the table for the first time in their Bundesliga history. After two wins for starters, FCA lead the German top-flight with six points and a goal difference of 7 to 1. This Saturday, 12 September (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), Augsburg are looking to build on their strong start to the season against the Werkself. The lowdown on our next opponents.

Show more
Das offizielle Mannschaftsfoto der Männer und Frauen 2026/27
Bayer 04 - 10.09.2026

Men and women together for first time: The official 2026/27 team photos

Following the closure of the 2026 summer transfer window, the Bayer 04 men's and women's first teams lined up for a first-ever joint photo at the BayArena. Werkself fans can now download the official photos for free.

Show more