It was matchday 25 in the 1999/00 season – the match away to SSV Ulm at the Donau Stadium kicked off at 15.30 CET in front of 23,500 spectators. Bayer 04, then second in the table behind Bayern Munich, had gone six games unbeaten; at the same time, the 'Sparrows' were in confident mood after two wins in succession and an unbeaten run stretching back to November of the previous year.
Ulm missed two chances at the start of the game – the Werkself were more clinical: Emerson and Paulo Rink started the goal fest. Ulf Kirsten added a third and Emerson doubled his tally to make it 4-0 at half-time.
The Werkself were on top of their game in the first half and the team coached by Christoph Daum carried on in the same vein in the second 45 minutes: Oliver Neuville, Michael Ballack, Zé Roberto with a brace and Bernd Schneider scored to make it 9-0 for Bayer 04. Ulm's Leandro netted a consolation goal just before the end of the game for the final score of 9-1.
Bayer 04: Juric – Nowotny, Ramelow, R. Kovac – Emerson, Ballack, Zé Roberto (Bernd Schneider 82'), Beinlich (Gresko 78') – Neuville, Rink, Kirsten (Zivkovic 52')
Goals: 0-1 Emerson (10’)
0-2 Rink (14’)
0-3 Kirsten (19’)
0-4 Emerson (39’)
0-5 Neuville (68’)
0-6 Zé Roberto (74’)
0-7 Ballack (75’)
0-8 Zé Roberto (81’)
0-9 B. Schneider (85’)
1-9 Leandro (90’)
As with the other youth teams (U16 to U19), Bayer 04 are also relying on familiar faces—some in new roles—and fresh impetus from the coaching staff for the 2026/27 season in the younger age groups. An overview of the U11 to U15 teams.
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After eight years in the youth set-up at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Benjamin Adam is leaving the club. The 35-year-old, who most recently coached the Leverkusen U17s, will take charge of the Hansa Rostock U19 team next season.
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As well as internal changes and familiar faces, Bayer 04 are also looking to bring fresh impetus to the coaching staff of the senior youth squads for the 2026/27 campaign. Here is an overview of the U19, U17 and U16 teams.
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Bayer 04 have signed 16-year-old defensive midfielder Kennet Eichhorn from Hertha Berlin. The Germany U17 international is joining the Werkself from the Berlin Bundesliga 2 club on a long-term contract. Eichhorn made 19 appearances for the Hertha Berlin first team last season, scoring two goals.
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