The Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung assesses the draw against Schalke as follows: "Just one week after the sheer Sunday pleasure of the 6-1 triumph over Eintracht Frankfurt, the daily grind returned for Bayer 04 Leverkusen. The Werkself only managed a 1-1 draw against a courageous Schalke team... The draw keeps Leverkusen in fifth place. The dream of fourth place and associated qualification for the Champions League lives on to the last Bundesliga matchday when Bayer play in Berlin."
Bild am Sonntag reports: "Setback for Leverkusen – in the race for the Champions League. Everything was set up for the Bundesliga anniversary at the home game: Choreography, legends like Zé Roberto and Christoph Daum, the pros in specially produced retro shirts – and then only a 1-1 draw against Schalke!" The paper quotes Rudi Völler, managing director sport at Bayer 04, on the performance of referee Aytekin and the action by Schalke's Caligiuri against Julian Baumgartlinger on 77 minutes: "Herr Aytekin today decided to give a penalty whenever a Schalke player fell over in the penalty area. I think everybody in the stadium would have wanted him to look at the incident involving Baumgartlinger too."
The Express describes the impressive opening phase by the Werkself: "Bayer initially applied constant pressure against the background of the celebrations of 40 years in the Bundesliga in their smart retro shirts. Charles Aránguiz hit the bar on twelve minutes and Julian Brandt turned the rebound against the post. Aránguiz, Brandt, Kevin Volland and Lucas Alario missed great chances against a helpless Schalke team before Kai Havertz volleyed in his 16th goal of the season to finally create a 1-0 lead."
The Rheinische Post takes a look at the table ahead of the last matchday: "The situation in the table has become more complicated for the Werkself after the draw. Qualification for the Europa League is certain but fourth place and the Champions League appear to be more unrealistic ahead of the final day of the season. Borussia Mönchengladbach are in a better position as they have a superior goal difference than the Werkself (both on 55 points). Frankfurt are below but they have the game against Mainz on Sunday night (54). Wolfsburg in seventh place (52) only theoretically have a chance of making the top four due to their significantly worse goal difference."
With sixth place at the end of the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign, Bayer 04 ended a season in the top third of the table for the ninth time in a row. While the Werkself were narrowly eliminated in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 by eventual finalists Arsenal, the Black and Reds reached the semi-finals of the DFB Pokal for the third season in succession. As in previous years, you once again have the opportunity to vote for your Player of the Season. Voting is exclusively for Bayer 04 Club members and only via the Bayer 04 app up to and including 11 June.
Show more
With 46 points in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga, the Bayer 04 Women’s team once again broke the previous season's club record and ended up in fifth place - 15 wins is also a record. As in previous years, you now have the opportunity to vote for your Player of the Season. Voting is open exclusively to Bayer 04 Club members and only via the Bayer 04 app by 11 June.
Show more
Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.
Show more
Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
Show more
