
The Sunday edition of the Kölner Stadt Anzeiger identified a winner in spite of the drawn result and that was the crowd: "At first sight, the 2-2 draw does not really help either of the two teams involved – and yet it produced a winner after a spectacular and highly exciting match: The crowd who were fortunate to see an unusually good match." And the author concluded with this assessment: "Bayer demonstrated that they can compete with one of the top teams like Leipzig and underlined the positive impression with an impressively battling performance."
The Sonntags Express praises the commitment of the Werkself playing with ten men: "Bayer did not give up when down to ten men in a repeat of recent impressive second-half performances. The just rewards followed on 73 minutes. It was down to Kevin Volland to round off this incredible game with an incredible finish. Bayer's best goalscorer scored the deserved equaliser at 2-2 with a volley from a scissors kick." And the Express also looks at the development of recent weeks: "After the 2-2 draw with Leipzig, the Werkself have now not lost in eight games. They continue to be unbeaten at the BayArena. Also it was the 17th game in succession with at least one Bayer goal."
The Bild am Sonntag emphasises that Bayer 04 were clearly the better side, above all in the final stages: "The game really got going. And how! Leverkusen launched attack after attack. With ten men? That doesn't bother us! Kevin Volland scored with a scissors kick on 73 minutes, how else? An incredible goal in an incredible game!"
And the Rheinische Post is also impressed by the phase of the match after the sending off: "There was real atmosphere in the game and not just in the stands. The Werkself were enraged and had a clear-cut double chance on 55 minutes through Volland and Havertz that did not produce the hoped-for leveller. It was Havertz again who had a shot blocked on 63 minutes. Spurred on by the supporters, Leverkusen pressed aggressively as rarely before and they succeeded in pushing Leipzig back deep into their own half despite being a man down ."
The Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung confirmed their assessment of the game that was shared by the Leipzig coach before the match: "Ralph Hasenhüttl, RB Leipzig head coach, spoke like a fan ahead of the game between the team in second and ninth-placed Bayer Leverkusen. ' If I was a fan,' he said,' then I'd go to this match.' Why? the Austrian football aficionado firmly believed that the BayArena on this Saturday would witness an offensive encounter with absorbing moves and impressive finishing."
The online edition of the Leipziger Volkszeitung (online) draws the following conclusion for the last half hour of the game: "The surprising consequence: In spite of being a man down, Bayer were so frustrated that they had the Leipzig defence wobbling. Hasenhüttl brought on Augustin in place of Keita, and Upamecano for the booked Orban. However, RB were unable to exploit the extra man and kept being caught out. The second equaliser from the hosts scored by Kevin Volland from a corner was absolutely deserved – and that was the final score."
Under the headline 'Volland has the last word in highlight film' the online edition of the Kicker declares: "Everything that this clash promised in advance came to be: There were a number of highlights in the test of strength between Leverkusen and Leipzig on Bundesliga matchday 12. One example: In addition to the four goals in the 2-2 draw there were chances, two penalties and a red card. In short: Bayer and RB provided the crowd with a real treat."

Bayer 04 face Hamburger SV for the first time since February 2018 in their rearranged Bundesliga Matchday 17 clash. After long years in the second division, the Red Shorts have gradually reestablished themselves in the top flight this season, thanks in particular to their strong home record and third-best tackle success rate in the league. There'll be a fierce battle in the air too, as three of the highest-scoring centre-backs in the Bundesliga could be on the pitch at the Volksparkstadion - two of them for Leverkusen. The Matchday News.
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Video games manufacturer Electronic Arts (EA), together with the Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL), has announced the six nominees for the February 2026 Bundesliga Player of the Month award. Not one, but two Werkself players are on the list in Edmond Tapsoba and Alejandro Grimaldo. Supporters of the Black-and-Reds have from now until midnight on Sunday 8 March to vote!
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After the original fixture on 13 January was postponed due to weather-related structural risks to the Volksparkstadion's roof, Hamburger SV now host Bayer 04 Leverkusen this evening, Wednesday 4 March (kick-off 20:30 CET), in the rearranged Matchday 17 meeting. It's a second home game in three days for HSV - an update on the opponents.
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The German Football League (DFL) has announced the three candidates for Bundesliga ‘Rookie of the Month’ for February. Among the candidates is Werkself player Jarell Quansah. Fans of Bayer 04 can vote for their favourite on the Bundesliga app from now until Thursday, 5 March (23:59 CET).
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