What the papers say: The Werkself 'delivered impressively'
The local press are unanimous in their assessment of Bayer 04's 3-1 win in the home derby against FC Köln: The three points for the Black and Reds were more than deserved.
The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger reports: "Not only could part of the humiliation from the previous meeting be forgotten. Bayer 04 remain one point ahead of Gladbach in Champions League position four thanks to the win." And addressing the start by the Werkself, the report continues: "The statistics revealed five corners after seven minutes for the clearly superior Leverkusen team."
The Süddeutsche Zeitung assesses the performance of the Black and Reds as follows: "Bayer director Rudi Völler and coach Peter Bosz spoke with one voice ahead of the game, demanding 'atonement' for the 2-0 defeat earlier in the season – the team delivered impressively in teeming rain."
"Richly deserved victory"
In the Kölnische Rundschau, under the headline "Bayer's revenge", the talk is of a "richly deserved victory." The journal continues: "As pouring rain set in with the kick-off, Leverkusen left no doubt that they were determined to make amends for the game earlier in the season."
The Kicker names the outstanding Moussa Diaby as the Man of the Match. The reasoning: "With his pacey dribbling, he was almost unstoppable for his opposite number Katterbach: He crowned his top performance with the decisive goal to make it 3-1." The assessment of the game: "The clearly superior Leverkusen team only briefly allowed the dramatically limited Köln side to get a sniff of a point."
"Bayer make Köln dizzy"
And the Bild reports: "Bayer made Köln dizzy for around 50 minutes. Diaby and Bailey much too fast, Havertz too clever. Leverkusen on the way to the Champions League simply too strong as shown by six corners in the first five minutes.
The Express praises Diaby and Havertz and awards top marks for the Werkself's attacking attitude. On the game: "For a long time, it looked like a show of strength but in the end it was 'only' a deserved victory."
The summary of the 90 minutes of the derby in the Rheinische Post reads: "Bayer Leverkusen remain undisturbed on course for the Champions League: The Werkself deservedly beat the Rhineland rivals FC Köln 3-1 and regained Champions League position four."
Related News
Social Commitment - 05.12.2025
Fernando Carro and Stefan Kießling at the Day of Volunteering in the BayArena
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
Women - 04.12.2025
Kramer and Repohl set to return to squad: Women host RB Leipzig
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
Women - 04.12.2025
Women's Bundesliga: 14 top-flight clubs form FBL e.V.
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
Bayer 04 - 04.12.2025
Goals for eternity: Ulf Kirsten turns 60
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
