Back
10.05.2026Bundesliga

Werkself Review #VfBB04: Determined to end on a high at home

In the next head-to-head clash for the Champions League places at VfB Stuttgart, Bayer 04 failed to follow up their impressive 4-1 win at home to RB Leipzig from the week before. After Aleix Garcia gave the Werkself the lead with their fastest goal of the season, the Swabians turned the game around and won 3-1, knocking Leverkusen down into sixth place. It leaves them needing a win at home to Hamburger SV and other results to go their way on the final day of the 2025/26 campaign in order to reclaim fourth spot. The Werkself Review has all the analysis and reaction from all those involved in an eventful encounter with VfB.
Die Werkself nach Abpfiff bei den mitgereisten Fans

Summary: No points despite early lead

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.

Reaction: 'Train well and beat HSV'

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."

Kasper Hjulmand nach dem Spiel in Stuttgart

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."

What the papers say: 'Lacking defensive resolve'

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]."

Personnel: Next goal contribution for starting returnee Kofane

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.

Christian Kofane in Stuttgart

Stats: Run ends at VfB ends despite fastest goal

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.

Up next: Season finale against Hamburg

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.

Related News

Montrell Culbreath für die DFB-U19
Bayer 04 - 08.06.2026

Culbreath in Germany squad for U19 Euros - Onyeka also called up

Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.

Show more
Auslosung 1. Runde DFB-Pokal
DFB-Pokal - 06.06.2026

DFB Pokal 2026/27: Bayer 04 face Wehen Wiesbaden in first round

Bayer 04 are away to third-division club SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal. That was the outcome of the draw on Saturday night, 6 June, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. The Werkself first round tie will be played between 21 and 24 August. The exact date has yet to be finalised.

Show more
Erstes Interview von Carles Martìnez als Cheftrainer in Leverkusen
Werkself-TV - 05.06.2026

First interview with Carles Martìnez as Leverkusen head coach

Carles Martìnez is raring to go. The 42-year-old speaks in his first interview in Leverkusen about the club's development to date and how he wants to build on it. He describes his previous work in France, Kuwait, Qatar and his native Barcelona, his experience in developing young players, and the key steps between now and the start of pre-season training.

Show more
Die PK zur Vorstellung des neuen Cheftrainers Carles Martínez
Werkself-TV - 05.06.2026

Carles Martínez: 'The fans should enjoy our football'

New Bayer 04 head coach Carles Martínez has arrived in Leverkusen! At midday on Friday, the 42-year-old spoke in a press conference at the BayArena about his philosophy and his aims. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes also discussed the reasons for appointing the former Toulouse boss.

Show more