Head coach Xabi Alonso kept faith with the same starting line-up as in the 4-1 home win against Heidenheim. With the support of a sold-out away section, the Werkself looked to gain control of possession from the start but Mainz were initially more often in and around the opposition box. The first effort from the visitors came from Alejandro Grimaldo on ten minutes but the Spaniard hit his free kick just over the target.
The first goal of the game came from the Mainz player Sepp van den Berg when the defender turned the ball into his own net from a whipped-in cross from Jeremie Frimpong – giving the Werkself the lead (18'). The hosts, starting the matchday next to bottom in the table, adopted a physical and intensive approach to the game to counter the Leverkusen passing play. They were unable to beat the in form Lukas Hradecky in the Werkself goal so that Bayer 04 went into the break 1-0 up and with almost two thirds of possession.
Werkself keeper Hradecky was centre stage for the first goalmouth action in the second half when he pulled off a brilliant reflex save to turn a Karim Onisiwo header over the bar (54’). The second goal of the game came at the other end: Grimaldo hit a free kick from the left of the box over the wall into the left corner of the net to score his second goal of the season (59') following on from his first free kick strike in Munich. Jonas Hofmann increased the lead to 3-0 six minutes later with a volley – and his celebration in front of the away end put the travelling Werkself support in a party mood.
Victor Boniface missed a chance to make it four for Leverkusen with 15 minutes to play when the Nigerian was denied by the Mainz keeper Robin Zentner. Bayer 04 eased off somewhat and the numerous changes on both sides saw a quiet end to the game. The Werkself maintained the three-goal advantage and are now temporarily at least top of the Bundesliga table.
Bayer 04 will set off to Norway on Wednesday for the second group match in the UEFA Europa League at Molde kicking off at 21.00 CEST on Thursday. The double fixture week ends with a home derby against FC Köln on Sunday at 15.30 CEST.
Match stats:
Mainz 05: Zentner - van den Berg, Bell, Fernandes - da Costa (El Ghazi 69’), Barreiro, Kohr (Krauß 69’), Caci - Gruda (Ajorque 76’), Lee (Barkok 69’) - Onisiwo (Richter 84’)
Bayer 04: Hradecky – Kossounou, Tah, Tapsoba - Frimpong (Stanisic 86’), Palacios, Xhaka (Andrich 79’), Grimaldo - Hofmann (Amiri 86’), Wirtz (Adli 63’) - Boniface (Hlozek 79’)
Goals: 0-1 van den Berg (o.g. 18’), 0-2 Grimaldo (59’), 0-3 Hofmann (65’)
Booked: Fernandes, Gruda, Richter, Barreiro - Xhaka
Referee: Benjamin Brand (Unterspiesheim)
Attendance: 33,305 (sold out) at the Mewa Arena
Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
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Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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The Bayer 04 Women’s squad for the coming season is continuing to take shape: Centre-back Emily Wallrabenstein has moved to Leverkusen from Eintracht Frankfurt’s reserve team, who play in the Women’s Bundesliga 2. The 19-year-old has penned a contract until 30 June 2028.
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Bayern 04 Women have confirmed another summer signing, with midfielder Paulina Platner moving to Leverkusen from SGS Essen. The 20-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the Werkself.
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