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.
Bayer 04 are through to the second round of the DFB Pokal after a 4-0 win at Sonnenhof Großaspach on Friday night. The game was paused after only 18 minutes due to a storm over the ground. After a lengthy delay, play resumed and Patrik Schick opened the scoring. Arthur, Christian Kofane and Alejandro Grimaldo made things more comfortable in the second half, as the fourth-tier side had two players sent off.
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There were no goals across 115 minutes of football between Bayer 04 Women and PSV Eindhoven in Friday’s friendly. Roberto Pätzold’s team played two 45-minute periods before an extra 25 minutes two days prior to heading to Rieden for their training camp. Their Dutch opponents were preparing for their UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifier in 12 days.
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The first round of the DFB Pokal takes Bayer 04 to Sonnenhof Großaspach on Friday. The amateur club have just gained promotion to the fourth-tier Regionalliga Südwest and kicked off their campaign with two impressive wins. Here’s all you need to know as Erik ten Hag makes his competitive bow as Werkself boss at the WIRmachenDRUCK Arena (kick-off: 6pm CEST).
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After two months preparing for the new season, the Werkself play the first game of the 2025/26 campaign on Friday, 15 August (kick-off: 18:00 CEST) away to SG Sonnenhof Großaspach in the first round of the DFB Pokal. Ahead of the tie against the team newly promoted to the Regional League South West, head coach Erik ten Hag talked about his approach to the knockout game and his soft spot for cup competitions.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen has a new Premium Partner in its ranks in Düsseldorf company LumenHaus GmbH. The leading provider of networked home energy solutions has initially agreed a one-year partnership with the Bundesliga runners-up to the end of the 2025/26 season.
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