Head coach Xabi Alonso made seven changes to his starting XI compared with the line-up for the 3-2 win against Qarabag in the Europa League three days ago: Lukas Hradecky, Josip Stanisic, Jonathan Tah, Alejandro Grimaldo, Exequiel Palacios, Adam Hloze and Patrik Schick came into the side.Matej Kovar, Odilon Kossounou, Edmond Tapsoba, Robert Andrich, Amine Adli and Borja Iglesias were on the bench with Jonas Hofmann, who went off injured against Qarabag, not in the matchday squad against Freiburg. Bayer 04 made a brilliant start to the game: Grimaldo put Florian Wirt through in the opposition penalty area and the Germany international beat Matthias Ginter and then Nicolas Höfler before curling the ball into the net at the far post – securing an early lead for the visitors (2').
The lead for Leverkusen not last long: Ritsu Doan played a one-two in the Bayer 04 box before putting the ball in the back of the net at the near post leaving Hradecky with no chance to make the save – 1-1 (10'). The game settled down after the blistering start with the next shot on goal coming on 24 minutes but the volley from Merlin Röhl hit the side netting of the Leverkusen goal. Both teams closed down space well and cancelled each other out although the Werkself, as usual, had more of the game and possession than the opponents. A promising counter-attack saw Jeremie Frimpong miss the chance to shoot or lay the ball off to Schick (37’). However, Leverkusen regained the lead three minutes later: Via Wirtz, Grimaldo and Schick, the ball rebounded to Adam Hlozek who was in the right spot to put the ball in the back of the net from close range (40'). The SCF keeper Noah Atubolu kept out Palacios on 45 minutes and Tah two minutes later so Werkself went into the break with a 2-1 lead.
Bayer 04 maintained the pressure after the restart as they pressed for the third goal. And a Frimpong cross was skilfully turned into the net by Schick with the help of the inside of both posts to make it 3-1 (53'). Shortly after that, Grimaldo hit a shot just wide of the upright (58'). The Werkself were in control and Hlozek missed the chance to make it four after good work from Wirtz (75 obviously). Amine Adli then came on for Schick (76'). Freiburg then pulled a goal back: Keitel scored to make it 3-2 with the ball rebounding off Hradecky (79').
A cross from Grimaldo flicked the post, Robert Andrich and Nathan Tella came on for Palacios and Hlozek (83'). Granit Xhaka had a shot from outside the box that Atubolo turned away for a corner (87’). Palacios made way for Edmond Tapsoba (89’). There were four minutes of added time. A header from Manuel Gulde sailed just over the bar (90+4'). Then came the final whistle with Bayer 04 unbeaten in 38 games this season as the 10-point lead over Bayern Munich was restored at the top of the table.
After the international break, Bayer 04 go into Bundesliga Matchday 27: TSG Hoffenheim visit the BayArena on Saturday, 30 March with the kick off at 15.30 CET.
Match stats:
SC Freiburg: Atubolo – Sildillia, Ginter (Lienhart 62'), Gulde, Günter – Röhl (Keitel 76'), Höfler – Doan, Grifo (Muslija 62') – Sallai (Gregoritsch 62'), Höler (Philipp 76’)
Bayer 04: Hradecky – Stanisic, Tah, Hincapie – Frimpong (Tella 83’), Palacios (Tapsoba 89’), Xhaka, Grimaldo – Hlozek (Andrich 83’), Wirtz – Schick (Adli 76’)
Goals: 0-1 Wirtz (2’), 1-1 Doan (10’), 1-2 Hlozek (40’), 1-3 Schick (53’), 2-3 Keitel (79’)
Referee: Harm Osmers (Hannover)
Booked: Höfler
Attendance: 34,700 at the Europa Park Stadium (sold out)
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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On Monday evening, 8 June, around 250 people came to the Bürgerhaus Baumberg at the invitation of Bayer 04 to find out details of the new plans for the campus on Alfred-Nobel-Straße at an information event. More compact, greener and with many advantages for Monheim am Rhein - those are the aims. There were lively discussions for around three hours and some misunderstandings were cleared up.
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Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
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When Malik Tillman arrived at Bayer 04 Leverkusen from PSV Eindhoven last summer, he did more than just add attacking midfield strength to the team — he reconnected the club with a unique and understated American lineage that stretches back more than three decades.
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Bayer 04 are away to third-division club SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal. That was the outcome of the draw on Saturday night, 6 June, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. The Werkself first round tie will be played between 21 and 24 August. The exact date has yet to be finalised.
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