Head coach Kasper Hjulmand made four changes to the team that started Tuesday’s 3-0 win over St. Pauli in the DFB Pokal as Loïc Badé, Arthur, Ezequiel Fernández and Jonas Hofmann replaced Robert Andrich, Lucas Vázquez, Exequiel Palacios and Martin Terrier.
After a quiet opening 10 minutes, Gladbach went ahead by pouncing on a pass out from Janis Blaswich to Aleix García. The goalkeeper was able to save Haris Tabakovic’s initial effort but couldn’t keep out Engelhardt’s rebound. The Werkself had dominated early proceedings, reaching 70 percent possession at one stage, but the Foals were able to keep the visitors at arm’s length. With few chances following, it looked like staying at 1-0 going into half-time until García’s long-range effort took a deflection off Sander and into the back of the net to grab a Leverkusen equaliser just before the break.
Hjulmand introduced Ernest Poku for Badé at half-time as he looked for greater attacking intent and tempo. His side started lively before things petered out. Most of the action occurred in the middle of the pitch, including a few flashpoints between players, before Alejandro Grimaldo tested Gladbach goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas in the 76th minute. However, there were no more goals as it finished 1-1 at Borussia-Park.
The Werkself have a rare full week to prepare for their next game at home to St. Pauli on Saturday (15:30 CET) for Carnival weekend. They then head to Greece for the first leg of the UEFA Champions League knockout play-offs against Olympiacos.
Match stats:
Gladbach: Nicolas - Castrop (Scally 78'), Sander, Elvedi, Diks, Ullrich (Chiarodia 88') - Reitz, Engelhardt, Stöger (Bolin 78') - Honorat (Machino 88'), Tabakovic (Sarco 68')
Bayer 04: Blaswich - Quansah, Badé (Poku 46'), Tapsoba - Arthur, Fernández (Palacios 65'), Garcia (Andrich 88'), Grimaldo - Hofmann (Terrier 80'), Tillman - Schick (Kofane 80')
Goals: 1-0 Engelhardt (10'), 1-1 Sander (og, 45')
Yellow cards: Diks, Stöger, Polanski (coach) - Palacios, Terrier, Schick, Hjulmand (coach)
Referee: Christian Dingert
Attendance: 47,599 at Borussia-Park
Reinforcement in attack: Bayer 04 Leverkusen have secured the transfer of striker Maja Sternad from Bundesliga rivals SV Werder Bremen. The 22-year-old has signed a contract until 30 June 2028.
Show more
It's a thrilling situation: as the season draws to a close, Stuttgart and Bayer 04 are heading into the home stretch almost neck and neck. After 32 games, with 17 wins, seven draws and eight defeats each, both teams are on 58 points. Even in terms of goals scored, VfB and the Werkself are level on 66. The Black and Reds have conceded just three fewer goals (43) than their rivals (46), which is why they sit one place behind fourth-placed Leverkusen. This Saturday, 9 May (kick-off: 15.30 CEST), the two teams go head to head at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart. The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with full-back Arthur ahead of schedule. The Werkself have agreed a new deal with the Brazilian to 30 June 2031. The 23-year-old was previously under contract to the summer of 2028.
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen continue building the squad for the new season in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga. The 25-year-old midfielder Marlene Müller has joined the club from RB Leipzig on a contract to 30 June 2028.
Show more
Bayer 04 are introducing changes to the ticket price structure for the 2026/27 season. In addition to adjusting the ticket prices, the ticket categories will also be reorganised. All season ticket holders have already been informed of the changes by e-mail. The most important information at a glance.
Show more
