Head coach Xabi Alonso made three changes to his team that started the 3-2 loss at home to RB Leipzig prior to the international break. Lukas Hradecky returned in goal for Matej Kovar, while Robert Andrich and Nathan Tella came in for Aleix Garcia and Jeremie Frimpong.
The game was barely a minute old when a Hoffenheim mistake very nearly let in Wirtz as the Werkself dominated from the start. The ball was finally in the net after 17 minutes when Boniface squared for Terrier to tap in. The goal was initially ruled out for offside against the Nigerian before being confirmed on review and bringing the Frenchman his first Werkself goal.
Boniface was denied just before the half-hour mark but made no mistake shortly after when played through by Granit Xhaka, holding off a defender and slotting home at the near post from the right. However, the hosts had a response before the break when Berisha prodded home from close range. A potential equaliser from the same player just two minutes later was ruled out for offside. Boniface had the opportunity to restore the two-goal advantage on the verge of half-time but was denied by Oliver Baumann.
After a quiet start to the second half, Alonso introduced Frimpong for Tella, with Andrich and Terrier both having chances shortly after. The game burst back into life just after 70 minutes when Dennis Geiger brought down Wirtz. Originally it was given as outside the box, but a check deemed the foul to be inside. Wirtz then stepped up himself to convert the penalty and make it 3-1. Only a couple of minutes later, Boniface finally had his brace and Bayer 04’s fourth with a powerful left-footed effort from left of goal that beat Baumann at his near post. There were no more goals after that, but Nordi Mukiele was given his debut in Leverkusen colours and could enjoy the occasion with a win.
The Werkself are back in action on Thursday with their opening fixture of the new UEFA Champions League campaign away at Feyenoord in Rotterdam (kick-off: 6.45pm CEST). Wolfsburg are then the visitors to the BayArena in the Bundesliga on Sunday (3.30pm).
Match stats:
Hoffenheim: Baumann - Drexler (Bischof 76'), Stach, Akpoguma - Kaderabek, Grillitsch, Geiger, Prass (Gendrey 61') - Kramaric (Tohumcu 85') - Bülter (Moerstedt 85'), Berisha (Bruun Larsen 61')
Bayer 04: Hradecky - Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie (Mukiele 85') - Tella (Frimpong 56'), Xhaka, Andrich (Garcia 80'), Grimaldo - Terrier (Adli 80'), Wirtz - Boniface (Schick 85')
Goals: 0-1 Terrier (18'), 0-2 Boniface (30'), 1-2 Berisha (37'), 1-3 Wirtz (pen, 72'), 1-4 Boniface (75')
Yellow cards: Prass, Akpoguma, Matarazzo (coach) - Terrier, Andrich
Referee: Daniel Schlager
Attendance: 30,150 (sold out) at the PreZero Arena
Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.
Show more
Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
Show more
Rogier Meijer is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and returning to his native Netherlands: The 44-year-old will take over at Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam on 1 July. Meijer has been part of the Werkself coaching set-up since the start of the 2025/26 season - first as assistant coach to Erik ten Hag, then on Kasper Hjulmand's staff.
Show more
Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
Show more
