Kai Havertz and Julian Brandt filled the top two positions for 'Attacking midfield'. Havertz finished first in the Kicker rankings for the first time. Only Kai and Julian Brandt managed to finish in the 'International class' category. The Kicker assessment reads: "Kai Havertz produced one top performance after next in the second half of the season, scoring11 goals himself and providing one assist. He impressed with an almost perfect mix of abilities and he was the symbol of Leverkusen's fightback… Particularly at the end when the battle for Europe and the Champions League came to head as he helped pull the Bayer team through to Champions League qualification with his seven goals from matchday 28."
The Kicker writes about Julian Brandt, still at Leverkusen but destined to join Borussia Dortmund, as follows: "Julian Brandt moved into the middle under Peter Bosz. The change of position did the 23-year-old a power of good: Brandt coupled his creative skills with an outstanding efficiency (six goals, 12 assists)." Third in the ranking was Dortmund's Marco Reus.
The Chile international and currently Copa America participant Charles Aránguiz and the Austrian Julian Baumgartlinger can both be happy about being ranked so high. In the position of 'Defensive midfield', Aránguiz finished second behind Thiago from Bundesliga rivals FC Bayern in the 'International class’ category: "As a strong in the tackle, stabilising factor, Charles Aránguiz proved convincing in front of the defence. The Chilean also showed his ability at the other end the pitch and his five goals in the last four games of the season played a big part in qualification for the Champions League."
His team-mate Julian Baumgartlinger finished fourth in the rankings. Kicker summed up 'Baumi' as follows: "When Bayer Leverkusen are on song then others like Havertz, Brandt and Volland more openly excel. But Julian Baumgartlinger ensures the attacking players have their space. The Austrian is not the most noticeable player but he is extremely important to the balance of the side with his tactical ability. His marks in Kicker match reports demonstrate he can impress in his own way.
A special afternoon at the Bayer 04 Football Academy autumn camp: At the Liga 20 indoor football centre, in the shadow of the BayArena, two Werkself women’s team players led a training session. Loreen Bender and Selina Ostermeier not only offered the young players advice and support, but also got stuck in themselves.
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The Werkself have reached at least the semi-finals of the DFB Pokal in each of the last three years. The Black-and-Reds would like to make it to the final four of the competition again this season, but to do that they'll need to overcome 1. FC Nürnberg in round two, who travel to the BayArena with momentum following a successful league campaign so far. However, Bayer have a 100 percent record at home in all competitions this season - and have also won six of their last seven home matches in the Pokal. The Matchday News.
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Back at home in the second round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal, Bayer 04 host FC Nürnberg at the BayArena. The match against the current second-placed side in Bundesliga 2 is on Wednesday 28 October at 20:45 CET. Ahead of the game, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about his anticipation of the clash in front of a home crowd. The Spaniard also commented on a number of personnel matters, including Ibrahim Maza and Montrell Culbreath, plus the visitors’ coach, Miroslav Klose.
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Now in their third season under head coach Miroslav Klose, FC Nürnberg are among the promotion contenders in Bundesliga 2. On Wednesday 28 October (kick-off: 20:45 CET), the team currently second in the table are away to Bayer 04 in the second round of the DFB Pokal. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Werkself player Ibrahim Maza has been named in the top ten in the ‘Men’s Young Talent of the Year’ category for 2026. The 20-year-old was at the London Palladium on Monday evening for the 2026 Ballon d’Or awards ceremony. Fernando Carro, Bayer 04 CEO, also attended the ceremony. Lamine Yamal of Barcelona was named the winner in the ‘Men’s Young Talent of the Year’ category.
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