
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."

At the end of the winter training camp in Portugal, the Bayer 04 Women convincingly mastered their friendly ahead of the start of the second half of the season. In the match against Swiss league leaders Servette FCCF, coach Roberto Pätzold's team won 3-0 at the Monte Gordo Sports Complex. Carlotta Wamser (4’), Vanessa Fudalla (18’) and Loreen Bender (53’) scored for Bayer 04, who have been preparing for the Rückrunde in the Algarve since last Saturday.
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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.
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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...
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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.
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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...
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