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 final whistle of the current 2025/26 season marks the end of a unique partnership for Bayer 04 Leverkusen. After more than three decades of collaboration and highly eventful times, the Bundesliga football club and the private brewery Bitburger are going their separate ways.
Show more
Around four months after their bitter exit in the DFB Pokal Round of 16, the Bayer 04 Women are once again away to Hamburger SV. On Monday night (18:00 CEST), the Werkself will not only be looking to pick up important points in the final phase of the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga at the Volksparkstadion, but also to make amends for their defeat on penalties.
Show more
A simple approach to sport with games, fun and a highlight at the end: Bayer 04 organised a very special training session for 40 participants aged between six and 27 in cooperation with the Football Association of the Middle Rhine (FVM). At the day of action for women and girls with disabilities at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre, many of the participants gained their first experience of football.
Show more
On Saturday, 28 March, the lights will go out again at the BayArena from 20:30 pm to 21:30. As in previous years, Bayer 04 once again take part in the WWF Earth Hour campaign under the motto "We're switching off" as the club wants to set a collective example for more climate and environmental protection together with people, cities and companies around the world.
Show more
