The Werkself year in pictures

Warm-up in the Florida sunshine – Bayer 04 prepare for the second half of the season in Orlando for the third year in succession.

Three points for starters – The Black and Reds start 2017 with a 3-1 win at home to Hertha Berlin.

Writing history – Karim Bellarabi's opener at Augsburg was goal number 50,000 in the history of the Bundesliga.

A bridge too far – Atlético Madrid teach the Werkself a lesson in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 tie. Bayer 04 lose 4-2 at the BayArena.

Farewell after nearly three years – following the 6-2 defeat at Borussia Dortmund at the start of March, Bayer 04 part company with coach Roger Schmidt. He took the Werkself to the the Champions League three times.

Saviour from Ruit – Tayfun Korkut takes over the helm at the club, in danger of going down, for the final 12 games and he is expected to avert the worst case scenario for Bayer 04.

Young, younger, Havertz – at the age of 17 years, 9 months and 22 days, Kai Havertz levels the scores at 3-3 against VfL Wolfsburg and takes over from Julian Brandt as the youngest goalscorer in the Bundesliga.

Time to talk– after the 4-1 defeat against Schalke 04, the Werkself are just three points above the play-off spot. The players and fans exchange views. The outcome: The only way forwards is together as one.

#finallyRED – even in the bad times, when it hurts so much, we will be behind you – our SVB. In the derby against FC Köln, the team, club and fans finally secure top-flight status.

Positive end to the season – the Werkself release all the frustration with a 6-2 victory away to Hertha Berlin in the final game of the season. Bayer 04 end the campaign twelfth in the table.

Back to his roots – Heiko Herrlich is appointed head coach at the start of June returning to the club where he started his playing career in 1989.

Welcome back – the 45-year-old wants, and is expected, to lead the Werkself back to the European stage.

A summer's tale, part one – The Germany U21s, including Dominik Kohr, win the European Championships in Poland at the end of June.

A summer's tale, part two – three other Bayer 04 pros represent Germany: Bernd Leno, Julian Brandt and Benjamin Henrichs win the Confed Cup at the start of July.

Victory in the first competitive match in 2017/18 – the Werkself beat Karlsruhe SC 3-0 a.e.t. in the first round of the DFB Cup. The Werkself miss lots of good chances before Domink Kohr's goal.

Stuttering start to the season – despite an impressive display, the Werkself lose 3-1 away to Bayern Munich. Bayer 04 pick up just one point the first three games.

The last defeat – Bayer 04 lose 2-1 away to Hertha Berlin on a balmy late summer's evening on 20 September. It turns out to be the last defeat in 2017.

Time for patience – River Plate block the transfer of Lukas Alario to Leverkusen. FIFA finally intervene and Alario scores on his debut against Hamburg.

Red alert – Julian Brandt and Co. are on fire away to Borussia Mönchengladbach. After being 1-0 down at half-time, the Werkself score five in the second 45.

Goatbusters are back – impressive display by the fans ahead of the derby against FC Köln, followed by a convincing performance by the Black and Reds that leads to a deserved 2-1 win.

Hard, harder, Bender – Sven Bender breaks two ribs in the Bundesliga game at FC Augsburg. He is back in the starting line-up four weeks later. Blessed are those who have a Bender. The Werkself even have two.

Back of the net– Kevin Volland scores 3 out of the 4 goals in November. His team move up the table and he stakes a claim for inclusion in the Germany squad.

The lad's just having fun – Leon Bailey sprints his way into the hearts of the fans and is rated the top player of the first half of the season according to the Kicker and BILD.

Morale is high in the group – Bayer 04 reach the DFB Cup quarter-finals just before Christmas with the fourteenth game unbeaten in succession. Also due to the outstanding Bernd Leno.

The Werkself year in pictures

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