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
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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There was a successful end to the women's internationals with Werkself players Carlotta Wamser and Cornelia Kramer qualifying for the 2027 World Cup finals in Brazil. A third Leverkusen player is still in with a chance of joining them. The Germany U23 players also experienced success in their last two international friendlies of the season.
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Traveling to North America for the World Cup this summer to see your favorite Bayer 04 players? Here’s a quick cheat sheet with thumbnail portraits and insider tips for each city from a local expert, so you can make the most of your visit and activities beyond the game!
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A fresh look for the BayArena: The Bayer 04 stadium will have new seating in the form of folding seats for the 2026/27 campaign that will ensure significantly improved seating comfort and simplified movement within the rows of seats. As part of routine replacement after 17 years, fans of the Werkself were able to purchase the existing seats, used to witness the first German league title in the club's history. In addition, a large proportion of the seats will be donated to charitable projects, primarily in the local region. Bayer 04 fans can look forward to new, functional folding seats for the season opener at the beginning of August - still in the club colours of black and red, of course. A glimpse at the BayArena during the refurbishment.
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