Before the game, Patrik Schick was in a probable starting eleven both on paper and on screen. The fact that Werkself coach Peter Bosz did not play the new signing from the start is seen by kicker as a "clever decision." At the end of the day, the striker had only trained "since last Wednesday in Leverkusen after spending ten days at home in self-isolation without any sporting activity."
According to the EXPRESS, the Werkself match at VfL went through a warm-up phase. "The match in front of the 500 permitted spectators at the Wolfsburg Arena needed time to get going," reports the journal. Even though Bayer 04 "endeavoured to take control of the game from start", there was "an absence of penetration in attack."
The Süddeutsche Zeitung highlights the performance of Florian Wirtz, "who since the start of June has been the youngest goalscorer in the history of the Bundesliga and on 25 minutes he had the first chance of the game after a one-two with Moussa Diaby." Overall, the 17-year-old produced a "notable" performance.
That assessment concurs with the view of the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger in its individual analysis. "He was involved whenever something surprising happened," praised the newspaper. For a long time, the biggest threat came from the youngest and slightest-built member of the Bayer team."
Bayer 04 had their best chances in the second half. "It could have ended in a Bayer victory," reports the BILD. "Diaby was denied by the VfL keeper Casteels (64'). And the substitute (…) new signing Schick (…) put a header over the bar (83')."
The fact the game ended in a goalless draw was not seen by the Rheinische Post as dropped points for the Werkself. "Even if the result doesn't sound like it," the RP begins their match report, "the 0-0 draw at Wolfsburg could be the first important point for Bayer Leverkusen in the race for the Champions League positions."
The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
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On Friday afternoon, it will be decided which eight of the 36 participating teams Bayer 04 will face in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League in 2026/27. At the draw in Monaco (live on UEFA.com), the Werkself will be drawn against two teams from each of the four pots, allocated according to the UEFA club coefficient. A match against an opponent from the same country is ruled out, as is facing more than two clubs from the same national association. Here’s a look at the pots and potential opponents.
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After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
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When Exequiel Palacios moved from the Argentinian club River Plate to Bayer Leverkusen on 1 January 2020, the then 21-year-old could not have imagined just how successful the next six and a half years would be for him. Pala, as he is known, had already won the Copa Libertadores – the most prestigious competition in South American club football – with River Plate. But there were still so many more trophies to come.
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