The most important thing from a sporting perspective first: Bayer 04 will again be in Europe in the 2021/22 season - in the Europa League. Following the point earned against the team from the capital and the defeat for Borussia Mönchengladbach (1-2 against Stuttgart), the Werkself are certain of finishing sixth.
The Frankfurter Rundschau headline reads: “Wirtz puts Leverkusen in the Europa League.” The words “shooting star” and “exceptional talent” follow. The opening goal by the striker on 27 minutes is described as follows: “It was also a matter of centimetres but the 18-year-old was just onside at the far post for Wendell’s shot. No other player has scored his sixth goal in the Bundesliga at a younger age.”
The Bild Zeitung also refers to the Wirtz, who recently agreed a contract extension to 2026 at Bayer 04. The headline of their report: “Wirtz now set for the Euros?” And further: “Jogi Löw names his Euros squad on Wednesday. The young international […] can reasonably hope.”
The Rheinische Post refers to the departure of Lars and Sven Bender: “There was a trip to the past before the kick-off in the last home game of the season. Lars and Sven Bender had a quiet send-off. Instead of tumultuous celebrations, chants, choreography and possible tears of emotion, there were a few kind words for the twin brothers, applause from the first team staff and a handshake from the club bosses. […] The pandemic forced the accolade for the two 32-year-olds onto the Internet. With countless comments and tweets, Bayer supporters paid tribute to the Benders’ lifetime achievements.”
In their category of “Moments of the match”, the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger reports as follows: “In his final home game as a professional footballer, Sven came on for two minutes. The 32-year-old, handicapped by a foot injury, was not able to clench his teeth but instead put the wellbeing of the team to the fore just before the end of his playing career as he took the decision on a longer appearance away from the coach Hannes Wolf in a pre-match conversation. Wolf left the question unanswered of whether Bender could start in his final game.”
The opponents on Saturday, 22 May (kick-off: 15.30 CEST) on the final matchday of the 2020/21 season are Borussia Dortmund – Sven Bender’s former club where he played for eight years before his move to Bayer 04.
Construction work continues on the ‘Haus der Talente’ on Kurtekottenweg in Leverkusen, where 36 young elite athletes will find a new home from next summer. The building team from Temmink Bau, led by Thomas Wellers, are hard at work. Over the past few days, excavators, wheeled loaders and rollers have removed 2,500 cubic metres of soil to excavate the basement.
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Special events for a special match: Bayer 04 are offering fans a varied programme of events at tonight’s home game in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga against German champions Bayern Munich (kick-off: 18:00 CEST). Alongside a number of interactive activities, events to mark the DFB Sustainability matchday are also planned around the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. Read on in the matchday news ahead of the clash with FC Bayern.
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Once again, two Fritz Walter Gold Medals are heading to Leverkusen: Bayer 04 new signing Kennet Eichhorn and Francis Onyeka, a product of the Werkself youth set-up, currently on loan at SV Elversberg, were honoured for their performances during the 2025/26 season. The DFB announced the awards on Monday, 14 September. The Fritz Walter Medal is the most prestigious individual award in German youth football.
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Following two close encounters against VfL Wolfsburg and away to TSG Hoffenheim, the Bayer 04 Women face another top side on Monday night. The Werkself host German double winners Bayern Munich at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium at 18:00 CEST to round off matchday 4 in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga. Head coach Roberto Pätzold is counting on another spirited performance from his team.
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