The Werkself, unchanged from the 4-1 home win against Heidenheim, were dominant from the kick-off and took the lead on 18 minutes: After an attacking phase from the hosts, Mainz player Sepp van den Berg turned the ball into his own net from a low cross from Jeremie Frimpong. Otherwise there were few chances for either side with Bayer 04 taking a narrow lead into half-time. After the restart, the Werkself pressed for the second goal and this came in a memorable way. As in Munich, Alejandro Grimaldo hit a free kick over the wall into the net on 59 minutes. Jonas Hofmann rounded off the scoring six minutes later with a volley to make it 3-0 – and the fifth win in the current Bundesliga campaign was sealed. The match report is HERE.
After the final whistle, head coach Xabi Alonso was "happy with the result but it wasn't easy for us at all. We didn't play spectacularly well but were very efficient. The opening goal was a bit lucky but we did much better after the break and deserved to win in the end."
Holding midfielder Granit Xhaka added: "We knew it would be a physical game. We took on the challenge here 100%. We been working hard and with precision for weeks and months and are doing what the coach wants. Therefore the current success is no surprise to me." Jonas Hofmann talked about "fun and euphoria" as well as "humility." And he added: "We were alert and took on the challenges. Now it's about focusing on the next games and doing our job."
"Leverkusen continue riding the wave of success," was the view of the kicker that also highlighted the efficiency. The Bild Zeitung described the Werkself with the adjective "clinical. The first three Bayer shots on goal went in against Mainz!" The Rheinische Post reporting on the first half: "The visitors starting with the same line-up once again found it hard to get going. Bayer's top scorer Victor Boniface was on top of Mainz." As the performance levels rose after half-time with two goals for Leverkusen following, the individual assessments – as in Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger – were mainly positive towards Bayer 04. The once again in form Lukas Hradecky received the second highest mark as did Exequiel Palacios, Alejandro Grimaldo was awarded top marks.
Jonas Hofmann has experienced a really good start under the Cross. The new signing from league rivals Borussia Mönchengladbach has been directly involved in a goal in all six previous Bundesliga games. The Germany international scored against Darmstadt, Heidenheim and Mainz and provided assists against Leipzig, Borussia Mönchengladbach and Bayern Munich. In addition: Hofmann also got on the scoresheet against Teutonia 05 Ottensen (DFB Pokal) and Häcken (UEFA Europa League).
Nadiem Amiri has reached a milestone. The 26-year-old came on for Hofmann on 86 minutes to make his 100th Bundesliga appearance for Bayer 04 – congratulations.
The number of shots on goal did not favour the Werkself at the away game at the MEWA Arena: There were six Leverkusen attempts compared to ten from Mainz. It is impressive looking at these numbers that Jonas Hofmann and Co. put every second effort into the back of the net. All the other stats went Bayer 04's way: 55% possession, 58% of challenges won and a better pass completion rate (87 to 83%).
Eyes will be on the German Football Museum in Dortmund on Sunday evening where the draw will be made for the second round of the DFB Pokal from 19.15 CEST (games to be played on 31 October/1 November). The next game for the Werkself in the coming week is in the UEFA Europa League. Bayer 04 will set off for Norway on Wednesday morning for the second Europa League group match on Thursday away to the Norwegian champions Molde (kick-off: 21.00 CEST). Sunday afternoon at 15.30 CEST brings the Bundesliga derby against FC Köln at home at the BayArena. That is followed by the next international break.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended Abdoulaye Faye’s contract by a further year to 30 June 2031. During the 2026/27 season, the talented defender will play for Celta Vigo on loan without an option to buy. The 21-year-old Senegalese is set to feature in La Liga and the UEFA Europa League with last season’s sixth-placed side in Spain.
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The Werkself's training camp in Weimarer Land all in one place: in our daily blog you'll find all the insights and updates from the day. The programme on day one (Sunday 2 August) includes a media round with managing director sport Simon Rolfes, free time for the team after the friendly against Rot-Weiss Essen and before an intensive week of training begins, as well as a coffee get-together where CEO Fernando Carro and Rolfes met around 100 fans in the afternoon.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed Kerim Alajbegovic’s transfer to Italian record champions Juventus. The club brought the 18-year-old attacking player back to Leverkusen this summer via a buy-back option, following a season at Red Bull Salzburg. Until his move to Austria, the Bosnia international had been playing for Bayer 04’s Under-19s.
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A warm welcome to the Weimarer Land, Bayer 04! The Werkself moved into their accommodation for this year’s training camp on Saturday evening. In Blankenhain, Thuringia, head coach Carles Martínez’s team have a programme of gruelling training sessions – several of which will be open to fans – and team-building activities lined up for the next six days. We’ll be following the Werkself up close and providing you with exclusive insights, quotes, photos and videos from the training camp.
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With 22 days to go until the start of the Bundesliga campaign, the Bayer 04 Women’s team have gained a fresh boost of confidence. In a friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk on Saturday afternoon, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team secured a 1–0 win. Lobke Loonen (20’) scored the winner for the Black and Reds at the Kurtekotten training centre.
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