There were not as many plaudits as last week after the 4-0 victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach but the performances of the Werkself players in the 4-1 win at Augsburg were again recognised in the football media. Jonathan Tah and Moussa Diaby were in the BILD Zeitung Team of the Day. And sportschau.de named Florian Wirtz in their matchday eleven. The substitute came on for Paulinho on 65 minutes, set up Patrik Schick (75') for the goal at 3-1 before scoring himself six minutes later for the final scoreline of 4-1.
That was the seventh Bundesliga goal for our number 27. At the age of 18 years, three months and 25 days Wirtz is now the youngest player in history the Bundesliga to reach that number. He has taken over from the previous record holder Timo Werner.
Part of that success probably goes down to head coach Gerardo Seoane and his team. Because Wirtz had problems with his lower back at the start of the season, the youngster was taken after training for ten days. "It was worth it," said Seoane who also added: "Confidence also comes through a healthy body."
In addition, Patrik Schick was highly rated by Werkself fans. In the vote for Man of the Match, presented by our kit supplier JAKO, he came out on top with 44.4% ahead of Florian Wirtz (24.3%), Jeremie Frimpong (16.3%) and Kerem Demirbay (15%). Supporters cast their votes on the Bayer 04 Twitter account after the Augsburg match. Schick will be able to enjoy his success in the Rhineland. The striker was sent off in the World Cup qualifier against Wales in March 2021 and is therefore suspended. That is why the striker has not joined his national team.
Seven points from three games – that puts the Werkself second in the Bundesliga table. Bayer 04 have only started a season better twice in their Bundesliga history: 2003 and 2013 produced the maximum nine points from three matchdays. For Kerem Demirbay this snapshot is no coincidence: "We’re on the right track. We are a unit," declared the playmaker before adding: "Something is coming together."
The last few days have been action-packed for Leverkusen's new signing Amine Adli: The 21-year-old signed a five year contract with Bayer 04 on Thursday, he trained for the first time with the squad on Friday and on Saturday the offensive player made his Bundesliga debut against FC Augsburg. Adli came within a hair's breadth of scoring his first Bundesliga goal but the FCA keeper Rafael Gikiewicz and the right-hand post put that achievement back.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen wish Dragoslav Stepanovic and Karl-Heinz Zickel many happy returns. Stepanovic, Werkself coach from 1993 to 1995, is 73 years old today (Monday). Zickel, who wore the Black and Red shirt for three years (1964-1967), is celebrating his 79th birthday.
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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