It was a first in Leverkusen: Ahead of the game against FC Köln, around 6,000 Bayer 04 supporters formed a guard of honour for the Werkself team bus on Bismarckstraße. The numerous, mainly dressed in red, Bayer 04 fans celebrated the arrival of the Bayer 04 team just before 14.00 CET. There was black and red smoke in the air, banners were unfurled, flags were waved and the team given a thoroughly warm welcome. An emotional moment before such a crucial game for Bayer 04 in the fight to stay up. The Bayer 04 players were clearly impressed: "I only know that sort of support from Brazil," declared Wendell and Julian Brandt was also full of praise: "Compliments to the fans. It was a unique moment," enthused the youngster. "Hats off! The fans took them with us and it was down to them we were able to come back into the game."
Kießling also impressed
Stefan Kießling has been at Bayer 04 since 2006 but the 33 year-old crowd favourite at Leverkusen has never experienced such backing for the Werkself: "The fans were incredible. What happened before the match was pure emotion. I can't really describe it. It affected us all and it gave us a great boost," said the stalwart, who put the Werkself back on track with his goal, in very emotional mood.
"Finally Red" at the BayArena
And the motto "Finally Red" was brought to life in an impressive manner by the Werkself supporters. Two thirds of the BayArena was bathed in red. And it was not just the North Stand that stood out with many other supporters, VIPs and the Bayer 04 management joining in with the "Finally Red" campaign. Everybody stood together in the battle to stay up. In the final pre-match training session around 500 Bayer 04 supporters watched the first half of the session to express their support for Tayfun Korkut's team ahead of the derby.
Schade praise for the fans
With the help of exemplary support from the fans, Bayer 04 were able to turn round the game against FC Köln to dispel any threat of relegation ahead of the last Bundesliga match day of the season. "Our fans have given outstanding support to the team. The only help was standing together, showing support to achieve the target of staying up. Our supporters have demonstrated that in an unusual fashion," said CEO Michael Schade, enthused by the fan campaign.
Bayer 04 takes this opportunity to thank all Werkself fans for their great support in recent weeks and for the great backing ahead of the derby and during the game.
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 4-0 win at SGS Essen on the 24th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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Bayer 04 put in a brilliant performance to beat RB Leipzig 4-1 on Bundesliga matchday 32 and are now fourth in a Champions League spot. The Black and Reds took control of the game right from the start and, with 75 per cent possession at one stage, took a 2-0 lead into the break through Patrik Schick (25’) and Nathan Tella (45+1’). The visitors initially tried to do more after the break, but the Werkself remained determined and Schick scored his second goal to increase the lead to 3-0 (76'). The Red Bulls pulled a goal back through Christoph Baumgartner (80'), but the disciplined Leverkusen side were not rattled - and certainly not Schick: The Czechia international crowned a brilliant display with his third goal shortly before the final whistle to make the final score 4-1.
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In the previous game against RB Leipzig in December last year, the Werkself turned came from behind to win 3-1 and further improved Leverkusen's already strong record against the Red Bulls. Montrell Culbreath stood out with his first goal on his debut for the Black and Reds. While the 18-year-old would certainly like to score a second goal against Leipzig on Saturday night, the attack-minded visitors come to the BayArena in confident mood after five Bundesliga victories in a row. The Nordkurve12 supporters group knows the Werkself will therefore once again be reliant on the vociferous support of the fans, and has once again called for the ‘Finally Red’ campaign in the run-in. Today’s matchday news.
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