Head coach Kasper Hjulmand made five changes to his line-up from the 1-1 draw against 1. FSV Mainz 05 on Saturday. Montrell Culbreath replaced the injured Arthur for his first senior start, while Aleix Garcia and Ibrahim Maza came in for Ezequiel Fernández und Jonas Hofmann. In attack, Martin Terrier and Christian Kofane started in place of Ernest Poku and Patrik Schick, the latter missing out because of a muscular issue.
Right from kick-off, the Werkself took command and created a number of early opportunities. Culbreath had the first opening from Maza's cross from the left, but the debutant glanced his header wide (7'). Six minutes later, Terrier directed a cross from Garcia goalbound with a first-time volley, which struck the upright. In the next attack, Maza was brought down in the box and referee Sören Storks awarded a penalty, but the decision was reversed following a VAR review as the offence occurred just outside the penalty area. The Werkself kept up the energy in the period that followed, pressing high and frequently winning the ball as a result.
The game was now being played almost exclusively in the Hamburg half, but Leverkusen were still unable to make the breakthrough despite further chances such as Maza's in the 30th minute. HSV, on the other hand, didn't register a single shot at Janis Blaswich's goal in the first half, which finished goalless.
Leverkusen continued to dictate proceedings after the break and soon threatened again - this time with a header from Edmond Tapsoba at the far post from an Alejandro Grimaldo cross (54'). Tapsoba did then put the ball in the net at the second attempt from a corner, but had used his hand to do so. Bayer 04 didn't lose heart and kept pushing for the goal - with success! In the 73rd minute, Maza set up Kofane with a chip in behind the defence and the Cameroonian finished with a powerful strike from a tight angle. Hamburg did threaten an equaliser in the final minutes but Blaswich denied Luka Vuskovic with a brilliant save right at the end to keep it 1-0 to Bayer 04.
The Werkself are back on the road this Saturday, 7 March (kick-off 15:30 CET), as they take on SC Freiburg. Their opponents after that are Arsenal, FC Bayern Munich and 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 before the final international break of the season.
Match stats:
Hamburger SV: Heuer - Omari (Torunarigha 65'), Vuskovic, Elfadli - Jatta (Mikelbrencis 29'), Vieira, Remberg, Gocholeishvili - Königsdörffer (Lokonga 81'), Downs (Stange 65'), Philippe (Dompé 65')
Bayer 04: Blaswich - Quansah, Andrich, Tapsoba - Culbreath (Poku 80'), Palacios, Garcia, Maza (Fernández 89'), Grimaldo - Terrier (Tillman 70'), Kofane
Goal: 0-1 Kofane (73')
Yellow cards: - / Garcia, Palacios
Referee: Sören Storks (Velen)
Attendance: 57,000 at the Volksparkstadion
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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