News in brief: Already more points than last year
The Werkself have already exceeded the points total in the 2020/21 season. That and more in Tuesday's news in brief.
Thanks to the 4-1 away win at SpVgg Greuther Fürth, Bayer 04 now have 55 points from 31 league games – more than in the whole of last season with three games left to play (52). That campaign ended in sixth place in the table and qualification for the UEFA Europa League.
Currently in third spot, with a three-point lead over the team in fifth position, the Werkself need more points in the end of season run-in to achieve the target of qualifying for the Champions League. The remaining three opponents are Eintracht Frankfurt (2 May), TSG Hoffenheim (7 May) plus the finale against SC Freiburg (14 May).
a day to remember: first time in Europe
An important milestone in the history of Bayer 04 was reached 36 years ago today: On 26 April 1986, the Werkself were away to Schalke in the final game of the season and were 2-0 down – not enough for sixth place and the first participation in the UEFA Cup. However, the team under coach Erich Ribbeck fought their way back into the game and earned a 2-2 draw. After the final whistle it was clear that Bayer 04 would take part in the UEFA Cup for the first time in the 1986/87 season.
The Werkself went out in the second round after two wins in the first round against the Swedish team Kalmar FF (4-1, 3-0): The games against the Czech side Dukla Prague ended goalless away and in a 1-1 draw at home.
Line-up before kick-off: The Werkself away to Swedish club Kalmar FF in the first round in the first UEFA Cup campaign.
The next season saw the massive achievement for the Werkself of winning the UEFA Cup on penalties against Espanyol..
in memory of Biskup
The former Werkself player Werner Biskup would have been 80 years old on this Tuesday. The defender moved under the Bayer Cross at the age of 20 from his hometown of Bottrop in 1962. Biskup played for the Werkself for three years: first in the Oberliga West (30 games, three goals), then in the Regional League West (66 games, four goals). After moving on to Fortuna Düsseldorf and FC Köln he finally ended up at RFC Liège in Belgium where he ended his playing career in 1975 and he became a coach. Biskup passed away in July 2014 at the age of 72. Rest in peace.
Related News
eSports - 16.12.2025
#B04eSports: The battle for top 16 in Showdown three continues
Today, Tuesday 16 December (live on B04eSports Twitch channel from 18:00 CET), the Leverkusen eSports players face the final three matches of the online preliminary round of Showdown Three in the VBL Club Championship 2025/26. In addition to 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 and SV 07 Elversberg, they will play Fortuna Düsseldorf, who are still unbeaten in this third showdown. The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show more
Club - 14.12.2025
Exclusive moments, away trips and a milestone: The Bayer 04 Club end-of-year review
Whether it's the Lions Club, Teens, Bayer 04 Club or Silver Lions - there was a lot going on again this year in all age-specific members' clubs. We look back on an eventful year with numerous events and many exclusive moments with the Werkself. We take a look at what the year 2025 had to offer for the members of the Bayer 04 Club...
Show more
Bundesliga - 13.12.2025
2-0 against FC Köln - Terrier wonder goal paves way to derby victory
Bayer 04 picked up three points in the last home game of the year with 2-0 win against 1. FC Köln on matchday 14. After a dominant first half with good chances, Martin Terrier, who came on as a substitute in the second half, produced a brilliant scorpion kick to make to 1-0 for the Werkself (66') before captain Robert Andrich rounded off the derby victory with a header six minutes later.
Show more
Bundesliga - 13.12.2025
Matchday news #B04KOE: ‘We’ll give our all’ against energetic FC Köln team
Bayer 04 host 1. FC Köln at the BayArena in the final home game of 2025 . Today’s match on Saturday, 13 December kicks off at 18:30.30 pm. The Werkself are looking for three points against 1. FC Köln, who are without a win in four games but they do have a shooting star in their ranks up front. The Bayer 04 Volunteering Award will be presented at the derby against the club from Cologne and another fan club will be honoured for many years of loyalty under the Cross. The matchday news.
Show more
