The big moment came at exactly 22.37 CET and Emrehan Gedikli was unable to hide a little smile. Head coach Peter Bosz again called up the young striker to his squad for the home game against Hapoel Be’er Sheva (4-1) – and Gedikli came on with ten minutes to play make his first team debut at the age of 17 years, seven months and one day.
And at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre the staff were getting right behind homegrown talent Gedikli who is currently completing a course as a sports and fitness sales executive at Bayer 04. Thomas Eichin, head of the youth section: "I'm incredibly happy that Emrehan has been able to make the step up. He's worked hard for it. The lad has been with us since the U8s and now is suddenly playing alongside the senior players in the Europa League at the age of 17."
Florian Wirtz was even younger than Gedikli when he made his first-team debut for the Black and Reds. Our number 27 is the youngest Bundesliga first team player of all time at Bayer 04 and, in spite of being just 17 years old, has made twelve appearances across all competitions this season. No wonder the market value of this year's winner of the gold Fritz Walter medal (for the U17 age group) has been increased. The website transfermarkt.de recently valued Wirtz at €24 million. The Germany U21 international has therefore more than doubled his market value, which was previously set at €10 million.
Another four Werkself players have also earned an upgrade for their performances: Edmond Tapsoba (+8 to 30 million), Daley Sinkgraven (+2.5 to 7.5 million), Moussa Diaby (+4 to 36 million) and Lucas Alario (+6.5 to 20 million.).
You have decided: Leon Bailey is your Man of the Match for the 4-1 home win against Hapoel Be’er Sheva. The Jamaican, who scored a brace in the game in Israel, made it 2-0 with an assist from Wendell. Congratulations, Leon!
After the Europa League victory against Be’er Sheva, Bayer 04 are back in action in the Bundesliga. Hertha Berlin visit the BayArena on Sunday 29 November (kick-off: 15.30 CET/live on Sky and on Werks11 Radio at bayer04.de plus on the Bayer 04 app). The team from the capital will wear black armbands for this match in memory of former president Heinz Warneke who passed away last Sunday at the age of 89.
The second international break of the 2025/26 season will begin after the Bundesliga match against Union Berlin (Saturday, 4 October, 15:30 CEST). The latest information on call-ups.
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Alejo Sarco and Argentina won their second group match at the U20 World Cup in Chile on Wednesday night. They beat Australia 4-1 with Sarco setting the tone early with a goal in the third minute. As in the first group game against Cuba, where Sarco scored twice, the 19-year-old was also named "Player of the Match" against Australia.
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Second game, second draw in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26: The Werkself were held to a 1-1 draw by Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven on matchday two in the league phase. After an early but brief setback in the form of an offside goal by Ivan Perisic for the visitors (5'), the Werkself took control and created numerous good chances in the first half. Leverkusen took a deserved lead after the break in the 65th minute through Christian Kofane. However, PSV's Ismael Saibari replied a few minutes later to level at 1-1 (72').
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In the second match in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26, the Werkself host PSV Eindhoven this Wednesday evening, 1 October (kick-off: 21:00 CEST/live on DAZN and on Werkself Radio). PSV have injury problems but are in confident mood after winning two consecutive league titles. PSV coach Peter Bosz and keeper Matej Kovar are two familiar faces who have fond memories of their Bayer 04 days. The latest information on the UCL match at the BayArena can be found in out matchday news.
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Bayer 04 beat PSV Eindhoven 3-2 on matchday two to clock up the next three points in the UCL Youth League 2025/26. In front of just under 500 spectators at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium, the visitors from the Netherlands led at half-time, but the Werkself turned the game round in the second 45. That makes it two wins on the bounce after the victory in Copenhagen.
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