Bayer 04 finished fifth – slightly worse in terms of goal difference with the clubs on the same points - Hoffenheim (third/+4) and Dortmund (fourth /+3). In the 34 games in the German top flight, the team coached by Heiko Herrlich clocked up 15 wins, 10 draws and nine defeats.
The Werkself found the back of the net 58 times this season – the fourth highest scorers in the Bundesliga with an average of 1.7 goals per game. And it could (and should) have been more because the Herrlich team had the second highest number of attempts on goal (511) behind champions Bayern Munich (599). The Bayer 04 players failed to score in eight games. At the other end, 44 goals were conceded (1.3 goals per game). At the same time, Jonathan Tah, Sven Bender and Co. only allowed 352 opposition shots on goal – only the FC Bayern defence was less accommodating for opponents (292). There were only 121 shots at the Leverkusen net (an average of 3.6 per game) – and that too is only bettered by the record champions (101).
The biggest win of the season for the Werkself was secured on matchday nine (21 October 2017) with a 5-1 victory away to Borussia Mönchengladbach with Bayer 04 fighting back from 1-0 down at half-time with the team playing like men possessed in the second half.
That came in a night game on matchday 31 (21 April 2018) with a 4-0 loss away to BVB at the Westfalen Stadium.
The Werkself scored 36 of their 58 goals in the second half. That was, to a not inconsiderable extent, due to the goal fests against SC Freiburg (4-0; matchday four), Borussia Mönchengladbach (5-1; matchday nine), Hannover 96 (4-4; matchday 17), TSG Hoffenheim (4-1; matchday 19), RB Leipzig (4-1; matchday 29) and Eintracht Frankfurt (4-1; matchday 30) – the Werkself scored four or more goals six times in the 2017/18 season. Only FC Bayern could better that (10 times). Moreover: The Werkself scored 10 goals in counter-attacks – the highest number in the league.
15 different players scored for Bayer 04 this term – only FC Bayern (19) and Borussia Dortmund (17) had more. This season's goals for the Werkself were scored by Kevin Volland (14 ), Lucas Alario, Leon Bailey, Julian Brandt (9), Kai Havertz (3), Lars Bender, Sven Bender, Admir Mehmedi, Wendell (2 each) and Charles Aránguiz, Julian Baumgartlinger, Karim Bellarabi, Dominik Kohr, Joel Pohjanpalo und Panos Retsos (1 each). The Werkself were awarded five penalties this season – without taking into account decisions changed after consulting the VAR. Three spot kicks were converted by Wendell (2) and Lucas Alario. Both of them also missed once from the penalty spot.
The Werkself earned 29 out of a possible 51 points in home games at the BayArena. There were eight wins, five draws and four defeats (29 goals for and 19 against). While the Herrlich team were unbeaten in the first half of the season at home with four wins and four draws (as were Bayern Munich), there were four defeats after the winter break in Leverkusen: Against VfB Stuttgart, Schalke 04, Bayern Munich and Hertha Berlin. The last two named clubs with the only ones to win home and away against the Werkself this season.
In the beginning it didn't look like the Werkself could win away from home. The first away games in Munich, Mainz and Berlin were all lost. However, after a 1-1 draw at Schalke on matchday seven, the Werkself collected a total of 26 points on the road (seven wins, five draws, five defeats) – only the champions of Germany FC Bayern (40) and runners-up Schalke (28) secured more points in away games. Also, only the team from Munich were able to score more often (36) and the Werkself (29) away from home.
With the 2-0 win against Mainz 05 on matchday 20 (28 January 2018), the Werkself has scored 25 times in succession in the Bundesliga over two seasons – a feat never achieved before. And what is more: Bayer 04 were the only team to score at least one goal in all 17 games before the winter break – with 34 goals from 17 matches, this season's strike force were the most effective Bayer 04 attack for seven years (35 goals; 2010/11).
After 1989/90, 1992/93, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2011/12, Bayer 04 finished the season in fifth place for the sixth time in the club's history – but the Werkself had never had so many points in that finishing position before. Even though it was not enough to qualify for the Champions League, Bayer 04 are back on the European stage next season. For the eighth time in the past nine seasons.
After eight years in the youth set-up at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Benjamin Adam is leaving the club. The 35-year-old, who most recently coached the Leverkusen U17s, will take charge of the Hansa Rostock U19 team next season.
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There was a successful end to the women's internationals with Werkself players Carlotta Wamser and Cornelia Kramer qualifying for the 2027 World Cup finals in Brazil. A third Leverkusen player is still in with a chance of joining them. The Germany U23 players also experienced success in their last two international friendlies of the season.
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Traveling to North America for the World Cup this summer to see your favorite Bayer 04 players? Here’s a quick cheat sheet with thumbnail portraits and insider tips for each city from a local expert, so you can make the most of your visit and activities beyond the game!
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A fresh look for the BayArena: The Bayer 04 stadium will have new seating in the form of folding seats for the 2026/27 campaign that will ensure significantly improved seating comfort and simplified movement within the rows of seats. As part of routine replacement after 17 years, fans of the Werkself were able to purchase the existing seats, used to witness the first German league title in the club's history. In addition, a large proportion of the seats will be donated to charitable projects, primarily in the local region. Bayer 04 fans can look forward to new, functional folding seats for the season opener at the beginning of August - still in the club colours of black and red, of course. A glimpse at the BayArena during the refurbishment.
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