"Bayer 04 Leverkusen beat FSV Mainz 05 1-0 on matchday 34 to end the season in fifth place as Borussia Mönchengladbach ran out 2-1 winners against Hertha BSC," summed up the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger. "The hope for help from the team from the capital was in vain."
The reports have little to criticise about Leverkusen's performance. The Welt am Sonntag describes a "good game" played by the Werkself at the end of the season, beginning with a "dream start".
The early goal by Kevin Volland is described in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung as follows: "Bayer got off to a lightning start because the team from Rhinehessen were still half asleep and Volland converted with a powerful left-footed shot on the spur of the moment to round off a move from Wirtz and Amiri."
There is also praise for the overall display. "There wasn't long to wait for the next big chance but Mainz were able to make a last-ditch clearance for the whipped-in and low cross from Bailey," describes RP online and adds: "Bayer were straight into the match, applied pressure, were focused, remain comfortable on the ball and did not allow the visitors to play their game at all."
According to the WAZ that did not change in the second 45 minutes. "The Rhinelanders kept up the pressure after the half-time break," reports the journal and points to the quality of the Werkself substitutes: "The introduction of Havertz and Moussa Diaby provided another boost."
The Werkself were unable to qualify for the Champions League with this win but did set a Bundesliga record as the BILD explains: "With 63 points, Leverkusen are now the most successful fifth-placed team since the introduction of the three-point rule (1995/96). Up to now, that many points always guaranteed at least fourth-place! Last season Leverkusen only needed 58 points to be in the Champions League…"
"Leverkusen don't want to worry about fifth place for too long," declared the EXPRESS. "In a week’s time there is the cup final against Bayern and then the Europa League could offer a back door to the Champions League. The Werkself are looking forwards." Fitting – and perhaps also fitting for the coming Werkself weeks – is the headline of the article "Cup final & Euro League: Bayer now start Plan B".
As part of the joint commitment of Bayer 04 and the City of Leverkusen to volunteering, the annual Volunteer Day took place in the 19nullvier Lounge at the BayArena. Fernando Carro, Bayer 04 CEO, Stefan Hebbel, Mayor of the City of Leverkusen, and club representative Stefan Kießling praised the commitment of the 200 or so volunteers from the region in attendance and thanked them for their impressive efforts.
Show more
After three defeats in a row, the Bayer 04 Women are aiming to get back on track against RB Leipzig. In the home game on Saturday (14:00 CET) at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium, coach Roberto Pätzold will probably be able to count on two key players recently sidelined due to injury.
Show more
The clubs in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga will set up the Frauen-Bundesliga FBL e.V. On 10 December. The clubs have joined together to open a new chapter in the history of German women's football.
Show more
In his 13 years as a professional player at Bayer 04, the honorary captain and record goalscorer made 446 appearances scoring 238 goals along the way. Many of them remain unforgotten, including his header to win the DFB Pokal in 1993. Ulf Kirsten celebrates his 60th birthday today Thursday - and Bayer 04 are happy to take this opportunity to look back on some of the former number nine’s special goals and games. But first of all: Happy Birthday, dear Ulf!
Show more
