The Werkself made it clear from the start that they wanted to clock up the next three points in the race to qualify for the Champions League. With two changes to the starting line-up, there was initially a lack of clear-cut chances, but the deadlock was broken by the hosts on 18 minutes: Paulinho converted a cross from the outside of the foot of Moussa Diaby to make it 1-0. The Black and Reds continued to dominate proceedings but the strike from Patrik Schick on 35 minutes was ruled offside.
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Eintracht Frankfurt made three changes at half-time but the next goal was scored by Bayer 04: Diaby set up Schick who put his shot through the legs of the SGE keeper Kevin Trapp to double the lead on 51 minutes. The Werkself continued to keep it tight at the back so that the home win at the BayArena was not in danger. HERE is the match report.
Robert Andrich explained after the final whistle: "We played in a very serious and focused way today. We had less possession than Frankfurt but we created good chances in counter-attacks." Striker Sardar Azmoun added: "It was a very important game, we’re happy we won the three points.”
Captain and goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky, who played Eintracht Frankfurt from 2015 to 2018 before his move to Bayer 04, added: "First of all, I hope we seal a spot in the Champions League and that we meet again in that competition." Frankfurt play West Ham United on Thursday in the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg with the Eagles taking a 2-1 lead into the game from the first leg. Winning that competition would qualify Eintracht Frankfurt for the Champions League next season..
He's done it again: Patrik Schick scored his 22nd goal of the season against Eintracht – and thereby set a record at Bayer 04. No foreign player has ever scored as many goals for the Werkself in a season before now. The Czech Republic international has overtaken the record set by Dimitar Berbatov who scored 21 times in the 2005/06 season. Schick is second in the Bundesliga goalscorer rankings behind Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich/34 goals).
Equally impressive is the return from Diaby: Following his two assists against Eintracht Frankfurt, the France international, alongside his fellow countrymen Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig), is the only Bundesliga player to get into double figures for goals and assists this season. The Leverkusen player now has 12 goals and 11 assists. Carry on, Moussa!
With the return of Robert Andrich and Piero Hincapie, both known for their strength in challenges, the Werkself won over 60% of all challenges. The Black and Reds also had their noses in front in terms of possession (55%) as well as shots on goal (11 to 9)..
That is the headline in the report by the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger that describes a "deserved" win. Five Werkself players also received high marks in their review. The Rheinische Post reports that the Black and Reds succeeded in achieving the target of picking up points rather than just playing attractive football. Qualification for the Champions League is becoming more and more probable with a four-point gap over the team in fifth place..
The Werkself still have two games to play in the current Bundesliga campaign. The last away game game for the Seoane team is on Saturday 7 May at TSG Hoffenheim. The kick-off at the PreZero Arena is at 15.30 CEST. The season ends a week later with the fixture against SC Freiburg. The match at the BayArena on Saturday 14 May also kicks off at 15.30 CEST.
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The second international break of the 2025/26 season will begin after the Bundesliga match against Union Berlin (Saturday, 4 October, 15:30 CEST). The latest information on call-ups.
Show moreAlejo Sarco and Argentina won their second group match at the U20 World Cup in Chile on Wednesday night. They beat Australia 4-1 with Sarco setting the tone early with a goal in the third minute. As in the first group game against Cuba, where Sarco scored twice, the 19-year-old was also named "Player of the Match" against Australia.
Show moreSecond game, second draw in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26: The Werkself were held to a 1-1 draw by Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven on matchday two in the league phase. After an early but brief setback in the form of an offside goal by Ivan Perisic for the visitors (5'), the Werkself took control and created numerous good chances in the first half. Leverkusen took a deserved lead after the break in the 65th minute through Christian Kofane. However, PSV's Ismael Saibari replied a few minutes later to level at 1-1 (72').
Show moreIn the second match in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26, the Werkself host PSV Eindhoven this Wednesday evening, 1 October (kick-off: 21:00 CEST/live on DAZN and on Werkself Radio). PSV have injury problems but are in confident mood after winning two consecutive league titles. PSV coach Peter Bosz and keeper Matej Kovar are two familiar faces who have fond memories of their Bayer 04 days. The latest information on the UCL match at the BayArena can be found in out matchday news.
Show moreBayer 04 beat PSV Eindhoven 3-2 on matchday two to clock up the next three points in the UCL Youth League 2025/26. In front of just under 500 spectators at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium, the visitors from the Netherlands led at half-time, but the Werkself turned the game round in the second 45. That makes it two wins on the bounce after the victory in Copenhagen.
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