Once again, Kai Havertz with 12 goals – as in 2018/19 (17 goals) – was the most prolific Leverkusen forward and he played a big part in the black and red attack that netted 63 goals this season. In a repeat of last season, Kai is followed by Kevin Volland (10), scoring double figures for the third campaign in succession, plus the Argentinian central striker Lucas Alario (7).
Havertz secured a record with one of his 12 goals: The winner in the 1-0 victory in the home game against SC Freiburg on matchday 29 was his 35th in the top flight. As our number 29 was only 20 years and 353 days old at the time, that goal set a record in the Bundesliga – no other player was younger when they reached that milestone.
Just one matchday later, exceptional talent Florian Wirtz also set a record with his curler past Germany keeper Manuel Neuer for the final goal in the 4-2 defeat against FC Bayern: At the age of 17 years, one month and three days, the Germany U17 international became the youngest ever goalscorer in the history the Bundesliga – and also in the Bayer 04 record books.
No other Werkself player needed less time on average to score a goal: The 19-year-old Paulinho scored three goals in 291 minutes on the pitch in the Bundesliga. The Brazilian, currently recovering from a torn cruciate, netted a brace in the four-home win against Eintracht Frankfurt. At the start of year, Paulinho played a crucial part in helping Brazil qualify for the Olympic Games in Tokyo with three goals in seven games. As with the European Championships, the Olympics have been postponed to next year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
This Bayer 04 player can outpace nearly everybody in the league: Leon Bailey's top speed this season was measured at 36.4 km/h in the game against Hertha Berlin on matchday 33. That sets a new record for a Leverkusen player since the recording of tracking data in 2013/14 and is also the third highest this season. Only Alphonso Davies (FC Bayern) and Dortmund's Achraf Hakimi were slightly quicker.
There are also positive stats to report from the defence: The Werkself have been able to rely on Lukas Hradecky in goal. The Finland goalkeeper, who was an ever-present this term, saved 100 shots and also kept 10 clean sheets. Hradecky also foiled 14 clear-cut chances from opponents – more than any other keeper this season. And the sports journal Kicker also recognises the achievements of the Leverkusen goalkeeper: Hradecky had the best marks of all the Bundesliga keepers. He also had the fourth best assessment of all the players in the league.
And finally, although not a record, the achievement of Sven Bender is still impressive. The central defender had 2,993 touches in 34 league games – that is only beaten by Joshua Kimmich (3,314). Sven Bender also has the highest pass completion rate in the team (95 per cent).
A simple approach to sport with games, fun and a highlight at the end: Bayer 04 organised a very special training session for 40 participants aged between six and 27 in cooperation with the Football Association of the Middle Rhine (FVM). At the day of action for women and girls with disabilities at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre, many of the participants gained their first experience of football.
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On Saturday, 28 March, the lights will go out again at the BayArena from 20:30 pm to 21:30. As in previous years, Bayer 04 once again take part in the WWF Earth Hour campaign under the motto "We're switching off" as the club wants to set a collective example for more climate and environmental protection together with people, cities and companies around the world.
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Less than a year ago, Kerim Alajbegovic moved from the Bayer 04 U19s to Austrian top-flight club FC Red Bull Salzburg. The forward’s development since then has been impressive. In 36 matches, including in the UEFA Europa League, the 18-year-old has scored 14 goals. In the summer, Alajbegovic, now a Bosnia international, will return to Leverkusen - and thus not only achieve the next milestone still early in his career, but also enrich the Werkself squad with his footballing versatility and determination.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with forward Nathan Tella ahead of schedule. The versatile 26-year-old, who can be deployed as a right winger, false nine or left winger, has penned a new contract to 30 June 2031. Tella joined the Werkself from Championship club Southampton in 2023. His previous contract ran to the summer of 2028.
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Nathan Tella has extended his contract with Bayer 04 to 2031. In an interview with Werkself TV, the 26-year-old talks about fulfilling his dreams, his positive outlook on life and his goals for the future. He answers the questions in English - all except the last one, which he addresses directly to the fans...
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