“Even if it might have been one – I can’t fully understand the red card in a friendly. That ruined the game after 20 minutes. A yellow and a free kick would have been fair. Marcelinho Garcia (the Valencia coach, ed.) saw it the same way,” declared Peter Bosz baffled by the decision of the referee Sven Weschitzki to show Aleksandar Dragovic a red card for a professional foul. “I feel particularly sorry for the spectators that the game was no longer evenly balanced and therefore less exciting,” said the Werkself head coach who had to manage without Lars Bender (muscular problem), Mitchell Weiser (bruised foot), Joel Pohjanpalo (set back after ankle injury) plus Sven Bender and Karim Bellarabi (rested).
Kevin Gameiro opened the scoring for the team that finished fourth in La Liga last term with a penalty on nine minutes after he was brought down in the box by Kerem Demirbay – a debatable decision but the referee turned away the protests from the Werkself. As expected, Valencia provided tough opposition in the last pre-season friendly ahead of next Saturday’s DFB Cup tie in Aachen (15.30 CET, live text commentary and web radio on bayer04.de) and they put the Werkself under pressure with long balls.
After the dismissal of Dragovic (20’), the Bosz team quickly fought their way back into the game and competed on equal terms with the Spanish cup winners and Champions League starters. The reward came on 26 minutes: The Werkself were awarded a penalty for a handball and Kevin Volland tucked the ball into the bottom left corner of the net to make it 1-1.
The pace of the game slowed in the second half in the hot summer weather and neither side looked effective up front. Apart from the goal to make it 2-1 on 57 minutes scored by Valencia’s Gameiro with a long-range effort that beat Lukas Hradecky who did show what he could do on a number of occasions. Peter Bosz made five changes on the hour mark – including the introduction of Nadiem Amiri for his first game for Bayer 04. The fourth summer signing for the Werkself played well but was unable to change the outcome of the game played as part of the Bayer 04 season launch at the BayArena.
Bosz did not make too much of the defeat: “It’s true our friendly results were not satisfactory but I can see a positive development for us. I recognise our improvement and the confidence is there. We now have a week before the Aachen game – we have to make the most of it and continue to work hard,” said Bosz.
Bayer 04: Hradecky – Jedvaj (Retsos 20’; Stanilewicz 86’), Dragovic, Tah, Wendell – Baumgartlinger (Sinkgraven 61’), Demirbay (Aránguiz 61’) – Bailey (Amiri 61’), Havertz, Paulinho (Diaby 61’) – Volland (Alario 61’)
In the first episode of the new interview series "A New Chapter", Werkself defender Jarell Quansah reflects on his first few months under the Cross and speaks about his journey from England to Leverkusen. Having come through the ranks at Liverpool, a new chapter began for Quansah in the summer at Bayer 04 — with new objectives, fresh challenges and much ambition. In the video, the centre-back speaks about his development as a player and person, about the courage to leave your own comfort zone, and about what it means for him to be part of an international team in a different country. Honest, reflective and full of motivation — just like the start of his Werkself career.
Show more
Full focus on Hoffenheim: after the late postponement of the away match at Hamburger SV, the Werkself are looking forward. To get themselves in top shape for the key clash at top-six rivals TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday 17 January (kick-off 15:30 CET), a number of players showed full commitment even on a day off - including two AFCON returnees...
Show more
After Rio de Janeiro, it's off to Thuringia: This summer, Bayer 04 Leverkusen will prepare for the 2026/27 football season in Germany. While Brazil was the destination last year, the Werkself will now set up their training camp in Blankenhain, just outside Erfurt, from 1 to 7 August 2026.
Show more
Four Bayer 04 players are in action at the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations being played in Morocco from 21 December to 18 January 2026: Eliesse Ben Seghir for the hosts, Edmond Tapsoba with Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Maza for Algeria and Christian Kofane with Cameroon. Updates on the AFCON matches involving Werkself players...
Show more
Due to the last-minute postponement of the Bundesliga match between Hamburg and the Werkself on Tuesday, 13 January, Bayer 04 will reimburse the ticket price to all 3,500 fans who had already travelled to Hamburg as a sign of appreciation. The tickets remain valid for the rescheduled match (date not yet set).
Show more
