The team under head coach Xabi Alonso had the upper hand in the opening stages of a physical encounter as they set a high tempo in the opening minutes – above all through Moussa Diaby. The Frenchman hit the woodwork on 29 minutes, his fellow countrymen and teammate Amine Adli had another good chance a minute later. However, the visitors from Leverkusen lacked accuracy in the final pass. The two sides went in goalless at half-time. The hosts increasingly came into the game in the second 45 and a corner from the right taken by Augsburg's Arne Engels found the unmarked Mergim Berisha and he scored with a header to make it 1-0 on 55 minutes. The Black and Reds endeavoured to get back into the match after conceding but lacked penetration in attack. The match ended in a 1-0 win for Augsburg. HERE is the match report.
Robert Andrich was self-deprecating after the match speaking to Werkself TV: "Particularly in the second half, we lacked direction and conceded an avoidable goal. We didn't win the challenges at the crucial moments. They secured the win with their energy and being in front of their fans." The Werkself number eight is demanding more organisation and clinical finishing in the forthcoming matches.
Captain Lukas Hradecky adopted a similar position: “We have to be more focused, more on the ball and have the desire to really want to win every game. We have to get it into our heads that nothing happens by itself." The keeper added: "I know we can do it. That's why we want and have to produce a response at Hoffenheim.”
Two Werkself players celebrated special milestones in the game against FCA: Moussa Diaby made appearance number 150 for the Black and Reds and it was the fiftieth match in a Werkself shirt for Amine Adli - keep it up! In addition, the two winter signing Patrick Pentz and Noah Mbamba were in the matchday squad for the first time. A very warm welcome, lads!
Just in front: With 13 shots on goal, the Werkself had more efforts than the hosts (Augsburg: 10), and the same goes for possession with a rate of 60%. In addition, the visitors won 51% of all challenges and impressed with a pass completion rate of 83% while FCA had 74%.
The Rheinische Post headline reads: "Leverkusen ran out of ideas in Augsburg" and the match action is described as follows: "Harmless up front, absent-minded at the back." The Kölnische Rundschau described the result as an "unpleasant setback" and added: "Leverkusen never really get into the game and lose 1-0 against a battling Augsburg side." The Leverkusener Anzeiger sums up the defeat as “Toothless in Augsburg“ but does find words of praise for the once again impressive Moussa Diaby: "A committed performance from the Frenchman. The biggest threat to Augsburg came from him. Unlucky with the shot against the post on the half-hour mark."
The Werkself are back in Leverkusen and they have an open training session at the BayArena on Saturday afternoon. Following a week of training, next weekend brings another away game for the Black and Reds. Lukas Hradecky and Co. travel to Sinsheim to play TSG Hoffenheim. The kick-off at the PreZero Arena is at 15.30 CET on Saturday 11 February. There will not be much time to rest after that: Five days later, on Thursday 16 February (kick-off: 21.00 CET), AS Monaco visit the BayArena in the Europa League.
After eight years in the youth set-up at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Benjamin Adam is leaving the club. The 35-year-old, who most recently coached the Leverkusen U17s, will take charge of the Hansa Rostock U19 team next season.
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There was a successful end to the women's internationals with Werkself players Carlotta Wamser and Cornelia Kramer qualifying for the 2027 World Cup finals in Brazil. A third Leverkusen player is still in with a chance of joining them. The Germany U23 players also experienced success in their last two international friendlies of the season.
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Traveling to North America for the World Cup this summer to see your favorite Bayer 04 players? Here’s a quick cheat sheet with thumbnail portraits and insider tips for each city from a local expert, so you can make the most of your visit and activities beyond the game!
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A fresh look for the BayArena: The Bayer 04 stadium will have new seating in the form of folding seats for the 2026/27 campaign that will ensure significantly improved seating comfort and simplified movement within the rows of seats. As part of routine replacement after 17 years, fans of the Werkself were able to purchase the existing seats, used to witness the first German league title in the club's history. In addition, a large proportion of the seats will be donated to charitable projects, primarily in the local region. Bayer 04 fans can look forward to new, functional folding seats for the season opener at the beginning of August - still in the club colours of black and red, of course. A glimpse at the BayArena during the refurbishment.
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