
The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung describes the visitors’ performance in the first half as follows: “Bayer dominated the game and had 80 per cent possession in the first half alone, but the highly talented Bayer attack found it hard going in finding a way through a disciplined Freiburg defence.” The newspaper comes to the conclusion : “Thanks to Kai Havertz, Bayer 04 Leverkusen have kept up the pressure in the race for a Champions League position.”
The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger headline is, “The difference is called Havertz.” The reports continues: “And then came the moment where everybody noticed that a certain Kai Havertz was in the game. The big, young star of German football was as good as invisible up to that point as a roving central striker. And then it looked like Leon Bailey had dribbled himself to a standstill in the penalty area for the 38th time. Havertz appeared behind him but seemed to have a worse position against the Freiburg central defence, but he stretched out his long, right leg and poked the ball home through Schwolow’s legs. That used to be called a Müller goal – in reference to Gerd Müller, the best goal poacher of all time.”
The report in the Rheinische Post reads: “Was Bayer Leverkusen’s 4-1 defeat against Wolfsburg really just a one-off? The Werkself had to answer that question in the Breisgau on Friday night – and they did even though in a rather dull fashion. After the narrow 1-0 win at SC Freiburg, it’s clear the Rhinelanders are back on course in the battle for a Champions League finish.”
The Kölnische Rundschau writes about “King Kai” with the headline: “Leverkusen back on course.” The Bild Zeitung saw a “Bloody win thanks to a ghostly striker” and that refers to the substitution of the recently hugely successful scorer of the winning goal Havertz. The Express talks about a “hard-earned victory” against an “aggressive Freiburg team.”
Furthermore, several news journals look at the performance of Florian Wirtz in their reports. The 17-year-old made his second start against Freiburg. “The next big hope. Wirtz showed his class in his full debut in Bremen two weeks ago and in his substitute appearance against Wolfsburg,” reports the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger. “Youthful high-flyer” according to the Kölnische Rundschau.

The Golden Boy Top 100 traditionally lists Europe’s most promising young players. In the latest update, published to mark the start of the new season, four current Werkself players – alongside loanee Francis Onyeka – feature on the list. This means Bayer 04 have the most players in contention of any Bundesliga club.
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Goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe will continue to play for Bayer 04 Leverkusen next season. The loan of the Germany U23 international, who joined from Liverpool in the winter, has been extended by a further year.
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The Bayer 04 delegation, led by Fernando Carro, CEO, concluded their multi-day trip to Brazil with a visit to the community-based organisation Bola Pra Frente in Rio de Janeiro – founded by former Werkself player Jorginho. During the visit, Bayer 04 committed to extending support for the Bola Pra Frente project for a further five years. In addition, Jorginho, a member of the Brazil 1994 World Cup-winning squad, was named Bayer 04’s second official club legend. With the visit to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the club has strengthened the relationships built up over the years in one of Bayer 04’s most important international markets.
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Ten years after retiring as a player, Kristina Sundov is returning to the Bayer 04 Women’s team as assistant coach. The 39-year-old former Croatia international takes over from Remzi Kahraman, who has taken up a new challenge abroad. She has been given a contract to 30 June 2028.
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The training pitches at the BayArena are already buzzing with activity again, even before training officially begins next week. On Monday morning, a small group from the Werkself first-team squad completed a session lasting around an hour. Both new and familiar faces were present.
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