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

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.

• The full match report
• The TV highlights

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."

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.

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.