In front of a full house at the Allianz Arena, head coach Xabi Alonso made one change to his starting eleven: Robert Andrich made his first start in the Bundesliga this season. The encounter was exciting from the kcik-off with the hosts initially having the upper hand that saw Harry Kane head them into the lead from a corner on seven minutes. Leverkusen remained undaunted and upped the pressure. Alejandro Grimaldo levelled with a textbook free kick from a central position (24'). It was the first Bundesliga goal for the Spanish new signing and his first strike for Bayer 04. After the restart, both teams focused on organised build-up play and solid defending. The game came to life in the closing minutes: Big chances present themselves for both Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sané as well as Florian Wirtz and Victor Boniface for the Red and Blacks. Substitute Leon Goretzka scored what looked like the winner at 2-1 on 86 minutes. But the Werkself hit back again – Exequiel Palacios levelled from the penalty spot for the 2-2 final score (90+4’). You can find the match report HERE.
Alonso spoke at the post-match press conference as follows: "We were still in the hotel for the first five minutes. But I saw my team after 15 minutes." The Spaniard added: “It was a big issue for us to build up mentality. That's why were able to come back after going 2-1 down. We created the situation that led to the penalty. It's important to stand together in difficult moments and then react well." Jonas Hofmann was also happy: "The game had an incredible level, it went from end to end and was really fun. I think the expectationa of the fans were met. Everybody can be happy with the 2-2 draw given the number of chances."
The media are agreed it was an eventful Friday night. The headline in the Leverkusener Anzeiger read "Bayer 04 pick up point in spectacular game" and the Bild-Zeitung talked about a "Crazy top match." The press were also agreed about the performance of the keeper Lukas Hradecky: Both the Bild-Zeitung and the Rheinische Post plus the kicker awarded him top marks. The RP commented on top of that: "Neither Thomas Müller nor Leroy Sané, Leon Goretzka or Serge Gnabry were able to beat the Werkself captain in that stage of the game. His masterpiece was using his feet to deny Kane."
Grimaldo scored his first Bundesliga goal with a perfectly executed free kick and it was also his first strike for the Werkself – congratulations. And teammate Palacios appears to like playing against the record champions: As in last season's 2-1 win in the return game, the Argentinian World Cup winner again stepped up to the penalty spot - and once again converted clinically. And that was after being on international duty in South America up to Wednesday. That could happily become a tradition...
The impressive goalkeeping performance from Hradecky was also remarkable. The captain lived up to his nickname as the "Finnish spider" and he earned the support of the 5,000 travelling Bayer 04 fans as they chanted Lukas Hradecky when celebrating with the team at the end of the game.
The numbers reflect the encounter: FCB had 16 shots on goal, the Werkself 13. It was also evenly balanced in terms of possession: Leverkusen had 48% and won 47% of all duels. Both teams had 87% pass completion.
The Werkself are in action again on Thursday 21 September with Hradecky and Co. taking on the current Swedish champions BK Häcken in the first group match in the Europa League. Tickets are available HERE. That is followed four days later by the next Bundesliga fixture on Sunday 24 September (kick-off: 15.30 CEST): Newly promoted FC Heidenheim visit Bayer 04 at the BayArena on the family matchday.
After back-to-back away defeats, Bayer 04 Women now face their penultimate home fixture of 2026 as they welcome Hamburg to the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion on Saturday (14:00 CET) seeking three important points in the Google Pixel Bundesliga.
Show more
Several Werkself players are set to represent their national teams during the final international break of 2026. Here’s an overview of who has been called up and what matches they will face in November. This article will be updated regularly.
Show more
After three consecutive wins in the Europa League, the Werkself suffered their first European defeat of the season against Marseille. In a first half with few chances, the Black and Reds gradually gained more and more control of the game, but were unable to convert that advantage into goals. Miguel Gutiérrez came closest to putting Leverkusen ahead with a shot that hit the crossbar. In the second half, the French side produced clinical finishing, with Amine Gouiri scoring from a counter-attack to make it 1-0 (77’). Right up to the final whistle, the Werkself threw everything forward in search of an equaliser, but were unable to find a way back into the game.
Show more
Bayer 04 are riding a wave of success on the European stage: After three wins from their first three games and as the only team yet to concede a goal, the Werkself sit second in the table in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League. With another three points in their first-ever competitive match against Olympique Marseille on Thursday night, 5 November (kick-off: 21:00 CET), Bayer 04 could leap to the top of the table. Meanwhile, the French side are riding the wave of a winning streak in Ligue 1, but are yet to pick up any points in the Europa League. For one Werkself player, Thursday night will mark a reunion with his former team-mates. Today’s matchday news.
Show more
The Bundesliga has finalised the fixtures for matchdays 12 to 18 of the 2026/27 season. Here is an overview of the dates.
Show more
