Head coach Xabi Alonso rotated again for the meeting with the Wolves and made six changes from the 2-2 draw at Qarabag in the UEFA Europa League round of 16 first leg. Lukas Hradecky returned between the posts, while Josip Stanisic and Piero Hincapie started in front of him in the defence. Granit Xhaka was recalled in midfield, along with Florian Wirtz and Patrik Schick in attack.
The Werkself took control from kick-off against VfL and dominated with possession and several moves, albeit without threatening in the opening minutes. That didn't come until the 22nd minute, when Xhaka fed the overlapping Wirtz on the left, but the Werkself's number 10 could only strike the post with his first-time finish. The visitors largely banked on counter opportunities and Leverkusen mistakes, and that's how their best chance came about when Edmond Tapsoba's attempted clearance wasn't accurate enough - Cedric Zesiger tested Hradecky with a first-time shot, the Finn tipping the ball over the bar on 26 minutes.
Three minutes later, Moritz Jenz fouled Schick on the edge of the box and the Wolfsburg defender was shown his second yellow card. The hosts promptly took advantage of their numerical advantage in the 37th minute: Alejandro Grimaldo got close to the left byline before crossing into the middle where Nathan Tella headed home to give Alonso's men a deserved half-time lead.
It was a similar story after the restart: Leverkusen continued to make the running going forward and had everything under control defensively, although clear chances were again in short supply - which was also down to opponents who were now defending very deeply. The best opportunities fell to substitute Amine Adli with a header and Xhaka from distance. The Werkself continued to move the ball around in front of the opposition penalty area but struggled to break through the passive Wolfsburg rearguard. Four minutes from time, the visitors' resistance was finally broken: with a perfect pass behind the Wolves' defensive line, Palacios set up Wirtz, who converted first-time to wrap up a 2-0 win.
It's another busy week for the Werkself ahead of the international break. They host Qarabag for the return leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie this Thursday, 14 March (kick-off 21:00 CET). Three days later, Bayer 04 are back in Bundesliga action as they visit SC Freiburg on Sunday 17 March (kick-off 15:30 CET).
Match stats:
Bayer 04: Hradecky – Stanisic, Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie (Adli 59') – Xhaka, Palacios (Andrich 90') – Tella (Hofmann 76'), Wirtz (Hlozek 90'), Grimaldo – Schick (Iglesias 76')
VfL Wolfsburg: Casteels – Lacroix, Jenz, Zesiger (Wimmer 87') – Baku, Gerhardt (Behrens 87'), Arnold, Paredes – Majer (Vranckx 62'), Tomás (Sarr 62') – Wind (Bornauw 32')
Goals: 1-0 Tella (37'), 2-0 Wirtz (86')
Yellow cards: Adli / Gerhardt
Red cards: Jenz
Referee: Daniel Siebert (Berlin)
Attendance: 29,314 (home section sold out) at the BayArena
The penultimate Bundesliga matchday of the calendar year marks the end of an eventful first half of the season for the Bayer 04 Women. After seven wins, one draw and four defeats from the first twelve games of the season, coach Roberto Pätzold's team can go above Werder Bremen in the table with a win on Friday, 12 December (kick-off: 18:30 CET).
Show more
The third showdown in the VBL Club Championship 2025/26 kicks off for the Leverkusen eSports team this Thursday, 11 December (live on the B04eSports Twitch channel from 19:00 CET). In the online preliminary round, the Black and Red will once again take on six previously drawn opponents for a place in the Top 16 and the associated entry into the offline knockout round, which will take place at this third showdown on 19 December in Cologne. Showdown One winners Bayer 04 will face FC St. Pauli, who won the second showdown last month, among others. The lowdown on first three opponents in this online preliminary round.
Show more
Alejandro Grimaldo, of course! With his late equaliser (88') in the Champions League clash against Newcastle United, the Spaniard rescued a point for the Werkself, who took the lead through an own goal by Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes (13') but went with two goals for the visitors scored by Anthony Gordon (51') and Lewis Miley (74'). It was the third draw for Bayer 04 in the current 2025/26 campaign on matchday 6 in the UCL league phase.
Show more
The Werkself will be looking to continue their run in the Champions League against Newcastle United on Wednesday, 10 December (kick-off: 21:00 CET). The two victories without conceding a goal at Benfica (1:0) and Manchester City (2-0) will hopefully be followed by a win at home at the BayArena. Against the English side, who have a player with a Black and Red past in their ranks, the way to victory could be through efficiency in attack and quick transitional play. The latter in particular has recently caused the Magpies problems away from home on the European stage. Fans can also get the stylish matchday sticker for their Sound of Dreams tour pass at the Bayer 04 Fanwelt. The matchday news.
Show more
For the first time ever, Bayer 04 have reached the knockout phase of the UEFA Youth League. At the end of the league phase, the Leverkusen U19s secured a 2-1 home win against Newcastle United on Wednesday, 10 December. Montrell Culbreath scored before half-time and Ferdinand Pohl doubled the lead after the restart in the clash with the English side. The UCL youth competition continues at the beginning of February with the Round of 32, which will be played away from home without a second leg.
Show more
