The Werkself were under pressure ahead of the home game against the La Liga runners-up Deportivo La Coruna following the 4-0 defeat away to Juventus in the first match in the second group stage. "We definitely have to win if we want to stay in the competition," demanded Bayer 04 coach Klaus Toppmöller, whose team suffered their first defeat of the season in the Bundesliga away to Werder Bremen (1-2) the previous weekend but still led Germany's top flight. Deportivo had not lost any of their seven games in this Champions League campaign, they beat Arsenal in the first second group stage match and came to Leverkusen as leaders of Group D.
Bayer 04 immediately took control at the BayArena in front of a full house. Zé Roberto missed the first big chance after five minutes when he was unable to convert an excellent pass from Oliver Neuville. Driven on by Michael Ballack and Bernd Schneider, the hosts again and again pushed forward with Zé Roberto and Oli Neuville constantly causing problems for the Deportivo defence. The visitors mainly defended with their star striker Roy Makaay having little chance to shine. The Spanish side were fortunate to go into half-time with the score at 0-0. It was the same after the restart albeit without clear-cut chances for the Werkself early on. Zé Roberto then broke the deadlock when he curled a free kick from 20 yards out into the top right corner to make it 1-0 (64'). Three minutes later, Neuville doubled the lead after good work by Calle Ramelow (67'). Deportivo were finally more offensive but Ballack's headed goal from a Zé Roberto corner to make it 3-0 finally sealed the result (79').
The wonderful free kick goal from Ze Roberto hit with his left foot and plenty of swerve paved the way to victory and set the BayArena alight. The build-up to the second goal was fantastic when the Brazilian first broke up an opposition attack in midfield, Calle Ramelow seized possession and, after a one-two with Ulf Kirsten, chipped the ball into the path of Oliver Neuville. He left the Deportivo keeper Molina with no chance of making the save with his shot from 13 yards out.
Zé Roberto not only scored the important opener but was also involved in the second goal and he provided the assist for the third from a corner. The Brazilian, who had attracted great interest from Deportivo in the summer, was the Man of the Match.
"We didn't go crazy after the two defeats in Turin and Bremen," said Bayer 04 skipper Jens Nowotny after the game highlighting the mentality of the group. Coach Klaus Toppmöller was also relieved: "Now this crisis talk is finally over. We needed a lot of patience in this game. It was incredible how much effort my team put in. And later they produced some wonderful moves. Fantastic." The visitors' coach Janvier Irureta admitted: "Bayer were stronger at the end and we couldn't come back after the opening goal."
The Rheinische Post reported after the 3-0 win: "After the total flop in Turin, Bayer 04 have now returned to the main entrance to the European stage. The renaissance of the Leverkusen team, enthusiastically followed by the crowd, saw their skill on the ball arrive with delay." The Kicker, "the success of Leverkusen was fully deserved, Bayer 04 could, and should, have sealed it in the first half." The big Spanish daily paper, El Pais, wrote in contrast: "Depor bleed out in Germany, Leverkusen crush Irureta's team."
Bayer 04: Butt – Zivkovic, Lucio, Nowotny, Placente – Schneider, Ramelow, Ballack (Vranjes 87'), Zé Roberto – Neuville (Berbatov 86'), Kirsten (Bastürk 74')
La Coruna: Molina – Hector, Donato, Naybet, Romero – Emerson , Mauro Silva, Scaloni (Djalminha 71'), Valeron (Tristan 76'), Fran (Amavisca 59') - Makaay
Goals: 1-0 Zé Roberto (64'), 2-0 Neuville (67'), 3-0 Ballack (79')
Booked: Scaloni
Chances: 12 - 3
Shots: 13 - 6; on target: 7 - 0
Corners: 8 - 1
Referee: Kyros Vassaras (Greece)
Attendance: 22,500 (sold out)
There was sheer euphoria at the BayArena at the latest after the second goal from Oliver Neuville. The fans sang 'Carnival at Bayer' and gave crowd favourite Ulf Kirsten a standing ovation when he was substituted on 74 minutes. The striker celebrated his 36th birthday on that day and was clearly delighted by happy birthday being sung by the North Stand.
Everything wide open again: As Arsenal beat Juventus 3-1 in the other game, all the teams in Group D had three points from two matches. The next outing in the competition for the Werkself was on 19 February 2002 against Arsenal at the BayArena.
The Bayer 04 U19s have extended their winning run with a fifth consecutive victory on Matchday 5 of the DFB Youth League’s preliminary round. Coach Patrick Greveraars’ side secured a 3–2 (2–1) win in their match against second-placed FC Viktoria Köln, with Burak Kir and Nebe Domnic scoring for the hosts in the first half before captain Ben Hawighorst found the net after the break.
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Bayer 04 will have to manage without defender Guéla Doué for the time being. The Ivory Coast international sustained a muscle injury to his right calf during the final Werkself training session yesterday ahead of the Europa League clash with Slovenian champions NK Celje.
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For the first time since reaching the final against AS Roma (2–2, first leg 2–0) in May 2024, Bayer 04 are playing another home match in the UEFA Europa League – and they will be wearing their new European kit. On Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the BayArena will welcome Slovenian champions NK Celje, who appointed a new coach this week following a mixed start to the season. Under the slogan “40 Years Across Europe. Still Creating History.”, the Black and Reds now aim to add the next chapter to their European history, which has seen so much success in recent years. Bayer 04 fans can follow the match on free-to-air TV on RTL, as well as on Sky and Werkself Radio. The matchday news.
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European football returns to the BayArena: Bayer 04 host Slovenian champions NK Celje on matchday 1 in the group stage of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. Ahead of the match on Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), head coach Carles Martínez and midfielder Aleix Garcia spoke at the pre-match press conference. The focus was primarily on the great anticipation surrounding the competition and the clear objectives for it – and, given the circumstances, on a last-minute change to the opposition line-up.
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The champions of Slovenia NK Celje are in a European competition for the fourth time in their history. This Wednesday, 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the side lead by head coach Vitor Campelos visit the BayArena for matchday 1 in the group stage in the UEFA Europa League. Celje’s last match at the weekend did not go to plan. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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