Coming into land at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport, the Werkself players, staff and guests were treated to a great view of the biggest city in Europe. But there was no time for any sightseeing in the city of 12 million: After the players, officials and some 80 partners led by Werner Wenning, chairman of the shareholders’ committee, plus 25 members of the media had checked into hotel, the pre-match press conference followed at 18.30 local time (16.30 CET). Bayer 04 head coach Peter Bosz and defender Jonathan Tah fielded questions from the journalists present.
Shortly after that, the players and coaches headed for the final pre-match training session on the pitch at the RZD Arena. Because of the prevailing winter weather – minus five degrees but without snow – Lokomotiv Moscow asked the Werkself not to train on the pitch. Instead, head coach Peter Bosz led his team onto the a neighbouring pitch to spend an hour stretching their legs.
Long-term absentees Kai Havertz, Mitchell Weiser, Daley Sinkgraven and Joel Pohjanpalo did not travel along with the suspended Nadiem Amiri. In contrast to the 1-1 draw against SC Freiburg, Leon Bailey – currently serving a three-match ban in the Bundesliga – returns to the squad. And the recently injured Julian Baumgartlinger was also on the flight to Russia.
The last time the Werkself were in Russia was exactly three years ago: Bayer 04 faced CSKA Moscow in November 2016 with the game ending in a 1-1 draw with Kevin Volland getting on the score sheet. Hopefully, a better result will be achieved tomorrow. An away win is essential if Leverkusen are to remain in Europe after the winter break.
Rudi Völler, sporting managing director at Bayer 04, was confident ahead of tomorrow’s game: “Unfortunately, we got off to a bad start in the Champions League. Everything’s in our hands after the win against Atlético.” That requires building on the performance at the weekend and, above all, take the chances. “It will be a tough battle in Moscow – in spite of the freezing conditions. It’s like a final for us as we want to be in Europe after the winter break. We need to have a great game to achieve that,” said the 1990 World Cup winner.
Moussa Diaby made his first start for Bayer 04 in last Saturday’s game against Freiburg – and the 20-year-old Frenchman also scored his first goal for the club. Apart from the goal, Diaby produced an impressive performance and he also stood out with one or the other individual moves. Reason enough for the kicker sports journal to name the Leverkusen winger in their team of the day. Carry on Moussa!
The Bayer 04 stadium was lit up in orange on Monday night between 17.00 and 22.00 CET. The reason was the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women that has been held every year on 25 November since its introduction in 1999. Bayer 04 also supports the day of action with the symbolic colour of orange.
And finally, there’s a treat for all Bayer 04 fans: The are great, new deals daily in our Black and Red week from 26 to 30 November. Look in on our fan shop every day to make sure you don’t miss an offer. It kicks off tomorrow with a 25 % discount on all current JAKO shirts.
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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