
The match lived up to its billing as a top-of-the-table clash right from kick-off. Less than a minute was played when Aleix Garcia finished off a transition after Ibrahim Maza had won the ball in midfield. The lead didn't last long, though, as Stuttgart striker Ermedin Demirovic levelled on five minutes. The actioned continued at pace, albeit with no further goals until first-half stoppage time. It looked like the two teams would go in level at the break, but after intervention from VAR and a check by referee Robert Schröder, the hosts were awarded a penalty for a foul on Demirovic by Edmond Tapsoba. Maximilian Mittelstädt confidently converted to make it 2-1 to VfB (45'+7). After Deniz Undav extended the lead to 3-1 (58'), there was no coming back for the Werkself as the Swabians saw out the win.
Goalkeeper Mark Flekken spoke of "frustration and disappointment" to Werkself-TV afterwards: "Both are huge today. We came here with the clear aim of taking the next step towards Champions League qualification. Unfortunately that didn't come off." Captain Robert Andrich said: "You couldn't ask for a better start to the match, but then we threw it away too quickly. Stuttgart deserved to win in the end. We need to quickly put this match behind us, pull ourselves together, train well this week and beat HSV. We must and want to do that for ourselves and for our fans."

Head coach Kasper Hjulmand summarised the events at the post-match press conference: "Congratulations to Stuttgart on this deserved win. We're very disappointed. It was a good start to the match, we often found spaces in attack in the first half. But overall, Stuttgart were physically superior to us, especially in the second period, and just did better today."
The Rheinische Post saw "Swabians in final mode" and a Werkself "lacking defensive resolve", while the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger described a "sluggish display" from Leverkusen. kicker focused on the battle for the Champions League places and wrote: "Stuttgart win UCL showdown convincingly, leaving Bayer 04 with minimal chances." Bild made its view clear: "Leverkusen were only Champions League quality for 34 seconds [in this game]."
Christian Kofane, who was recalled to the starting line-up for the first time since the 1-0 win at Dortmund in early April, provided his fourth assist of this Bundesliga campaign. The 19-year-old Cameroonian has also scored five goals himself. At the other end, goalkeeper Flekken made five saves in the match - the Dutchman hasn't been forced into more in the league this term.








The Werkself's run of 13 unbeaten away meetings against Stuttgart came to an end, despite Garcia giving them the lead after just 34 seconds - Leverkusen's earliest goal in the Bundesliga this season. It was also their 11th in the opening quarter of an hour - more than any other side in the German top flight.
The Werkself play their final game of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season against promoted side Hamburger SV at the BayArena, which is once again sold out. As usual, all the Matchday 34 fixtures kick off at the same time of 15:30 CEST on Saturday 16 May.

Black and Red stand out. Under the slogan ‘Diversity under the Cross’, Bayer 04 took part in Pride on the Rhine at the weekend alongside the queer fan club “Bayer 04 Junxx”. The club mascot, Brian the Lion, and several members of staff were also in attendance, championing diversity and solidarity.
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Centre-back Melissa Friedrich is set to remain at Bayer 04 for another year. The longest-serving player in the squad, who joined the club in 2016, has extended her contract to 2027.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed Portugal U21 international Afonso Moreira. The 21-year-old winger joins the club from French top-flight side Olympique Lyon on a contract to 30 June 2031. In France last year, the left-winger made 37 appearances in Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the UEFA Europa League, scoring a total of eight goals and providing eleven assists.
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A warm welcome to Leverkusen, Afonso Moreira! Bayer 04 have signed the 21-year-old Portuguese player from the top-flight French club Lyon. The left-winger has signed a contract at Leverkusen to 30 June 2031. Bayer04.de takes a closer look at the new signing.
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