There is good news from the Copa América: Argentina with Werkself player Exequiel Palacios were able to celebrate progress to the quarter-finals of the South American competition early this morning. A goal from Papu Gómez, a brace from Lionel Messi and a fourth strike from Lautaro Martínez secured a comfortable 4-1 win for the ‘Albiceleste’ against Bolivia and put them top of Group A at the end of the group stage with ten points from four games. Palacios, who was on the pitch for 70 minutes, and his teammates will face Ecuador in the quarter-finals of the Copa on Sunday, 4 July (kick-off: 03.00 CEST). Werkself skipper Charles Aránguiz and the Chile team, who were not in action on the final matchday in the group stage, have also qualified for the last eight with a match against title holders Brazil the day before (kick-off: 02.00 CEST). Good luck, lads!
The setting for the first competitive match for the new Bayer 04 head coach Gerardo Seoane is taking shape. On Sunday, 4 July, the draw for the first round of the DFB Cup will be held on the ARD Sportschau (18.30 CEST). Who the Werkself will meet in the first round of the domestic cup competition is in the hands of former Bundesliga player and ARD pundit Thomas Broich who will draw the balls out of the two pots in the Sportschau studio on Sunday. The first round of the DFB Cup will be played on the first weekend in August (6-9 August).
From the national to the international cup competition: When the Black and Reds start the Europa League campaign for 2021/22, Leverkusen and the other 31 teams will see a rule that has been in effect for 56 years disappear from the UEFA rule book.
As announced by UEFA, away goals will no longer count in matches in the UEFA club competitions of the Champions League, Europa League and the Europa Conference League in determining who progresses to the next round. If scores are level after the two legs then extra time and, if necessary, penalties will decide whether Bayer 04 progress the next round of the European competition – regardless of how many goals are scored away from home.
The fact changes have been made to the rules, which were applied for over half a century, was explained by the UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin in a statement: "Although there was no unanimity of opinion, a lot of coaches, fans and others involved in football questioned its fairness (the away goals rule, ed) and advocated the abolition of rule."
Bayer 04 head coach Gerardo Seoane has received the thumbs up from a former colleague. Stéphane Chapuisat, a long-standing Bundesliga player and head scout at Seoane's former club Young Boys Bern, says the 42 year-old has outstanding qualities – particularly regarding the future attacking requirements of the Werkself: "He has a good, attacking playing philosophy and I think he has the players at Leverkusen to put into action," said Chapuisat about the Werkself head coach in an interview with dpa.
Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.
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Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
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Rogier Meijer is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and returning to his native Netherlands: The 44-year-old will take over at Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam on 1 July. Meijer has been part of the Werkself coaching set-up since the start of the 2025/26 season - first as assistant coach to Erik ten Hag, then on Kasper Hjulmand's staff.
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Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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