With the backing of the fans greeting the team bus and 04 changes to the starting line-up, the Werkself were under pressure from Köln early on. The hosts did create several good chances in the first half – but Paulinho (10', 17') was equally unsuccessful as Moussa Diaby (35’) and Kerem Demirbay (41’). The Werkself went into dressing room at half-time with the score at 0-0 but with two injuries (see below). A third substitution was made for the start of the second half as Odilon Kossounou was unable to continue due to a muscular problem.
The substitutions by the other side had a crucial effect on the afternoon: The only goal of the game was scored by Köln’s Kingsley Schindler from an assist by Dejan Ljubicic on 67 minutes – both came off the bench three minutes before the goal. Bayer 04 came close to equalising including two efforts from Sardar Azmoun (74’, 79’) but the ball did not end up in the back of the net. HERE is the match report.
Central defender Jonathan Tah spoke after the game: "We're all incredibly disappointed. Our performance wasn't good enough in the first half." Head coach Gerardo Seoane came to the following conclusion: "Overall it's a bitterly disappointing afternoon for us with the three injuries and the defeat. We could have got more out of it – not just in the taking of chances but also in terms of being combative and our tackling."
Gerardo Seoane already referred to it: Jeremie Frimpong (13’), Florian Wirtz (28’) plus Odilon Kossounou (46’) all had to be substituted because of injuries. While the season is over for Wirtz due to a torn cruciate, it remains to be seen how long the two defenders will be sidelined. Frimpong complained of pain in his ankle and Kossounou had muscular problems. Get well you two and fit again quickly.
It says a lot about the course of the game that the football journal kicker named the Köln keeper Marvin Schwäbe as the Man of the Match. While the team from Cologne used one of their few clear-cut opportunities, the Werkself were ineffective in front of goal on the afternoon. The chances ratio of 7 to 4 confirms that. The Black and Reds also had their noses in front in terms of possession and challenges won – even if narrowly.
"Torn cruciate" – this short and sharp headline in the Süddeutsche Zeitung probably hits all Leverkusen and German football fans hard. Bayer 04 published the diagnosis of the injury to Florian Wirtz on Sunday evening. The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung headline reads "Leverkusen shocked" and Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger also talks about a "shock" and the Kölnische Rundschau opts for the word "nightmare". The Bild reports: "He's out for months. His playing in the World Cup is at great risk."
Following the derby, the Werkself the have another very important fixture coming up: Atalanta visit Leverkusen on Thursday 17 March (kick-off: 18.45 CET) in the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 second leg. That is followed three days later by the Bundesliga away game at VfL Wolfsburg (kick-off: 17.30 CET). The next international break comes after that.
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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