‘Worthy conclusion' – Reaction to Champions League qualification

Sporting managing director Rudi Völler, who will move on to the shareholders committee at Bayer 04 after the end of the season, said to Bild am Sonntag: "We are definitely finishing third. It's a great success given the difficult situation with lots of injuries. It's a great way to finish – for me too, of course."

Sporting director Simon Rolfes, who takes over the post of sporting managing director from Rudi Völler in the summer: "We've got a team with great potential and we had to be in the Champions League. Everybody has worked and battled hard for that. I'm very proud of each and every one!"

Head coach Gerardo Seoane, who has succeeded in qualifying for the Champions League in his first year as a head coach in the Bundesliga: "We are also very happy for Rudi that we are able to give him a worthy conclusion. We played in bottom gear in the first half. The second half was sensational. We were much more direct going forwards."

Captain Lukas Hradecky: "We've scored more than seventy goals and more than deserve to be in the Champions League. The mentality shown by the team today is impressive. There's something happening here. The captain is proud!"

Key defender Jonathan Tah, who has played under the Bayer Cross for seven years: "We're losing a lot of pressure. It was a season with highs and lows. But we've come through all of that as a team and today we deservedly won in the end."

CONGratulations via Social Media

In addition to former Leverkusen players like Benjamin Henrichs (now at RB Leipzig), Emrehan Gedikli (Trabzonspor) and Sami Hyypiä, Erik Meijer also shared praise via social media. The Dutchman played for the Werkself from 1996 to 1999 and is now working as a Champions League pundit for the pay-TV broadcaster Sky: "Congratulations to everybody. They really deserve it. Great attacking football that everyone wants to watch..."

There were also congratulations from TSV Bayer 04 and the Bayer Giants Leverkusen – and they got in the mood with the Champions League anthem that will again be heard at the BayArena next season: “The Champioooooons…” A similar approach was taken by Kickers Offenbach, who have had a friendship with Bayer 04 for over 40 years: "Congratulations on Champions League qualification and a great 4-2 away win #BayerundderOFC.“

Lucas Alario and Paulinho hit the nail on the head: "Target achieved." That also pleased youngster Iker Bravo: “Yesssssss! Great team, I'm so proud!” There was also recognition from Turkey: “Well done, lads,” praised Joel Pohjanpalo. And Moussa Diaby is already looking forwards: “Champions League – we’re coming!”