To date, it has been almost a perfect October for Atlético Madrid in La Liga. The Colchoneros have picked up 13 out of a possible 15 points this month. Last Saturday they beat Real Betis 2-1. The match ahead of the game against Bayer 04 ended in victory. This hard-fought win took Atléti up to third in the table and they are now the main challengers to the two big teams Real Madrid and Barcelona. "We kept calm at the end to secure three very important points," said Simeone commenting on the result.
The win at cup winners Real Betis is even more impressive as the club from Andalusia had previously won all of their last five home fixtures. Antoine Griezmann was the man of the match in Seville. The Frenchman, signed by Atletico from Barcelona, scored both of the goals for the visitors. And in a quite impressive manner. Griezmann opened the scoring from a corner (54’) and then nutmegged the Betis keeper Rui Silva with his weaker right foot (77'). Those were goals number four and five this season for the World Cup winner who has also provided three assists.
Griezmann has netted 147 goals in 308 games for Atletico – making him the third highest goalscorer in the club's history. Above all, coach Simeone is happy the 31-year-old has returned to top form in recent weeks. At the start of the season, he was only allowed to play 30 minutes per match due to his contractual position. Since no longer being on loan, with a contract to 2026 with Atlético, the Frenchman has flourished. "I'm happy to be there where I want to be," Griezmann shared on Twitter.
Fellow striker Alvaro Morata has also scored five goals in the league. And the Argentinian Angel Correa has found the back of the net three times. Joao Felix in contrast, the fourth star in the Colchoneros attack, has yet to score. At the same time, the Portuguese striker is rarely in Simeone it's starting eleven at the moment. The 22-year-old came off the bench on 76 minutes in Seville after not playing in the previous 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano.
As well as Atlético are performing in La Liga, the recent results in the Champions League have been disappointing for the team from the capital. The 2-0 defeat at Bayer 04 was followed by a similar scoreline against Group B leaders Club Brugge. And the second meeting with the Flemish team ended in a goalless draw. Simeone's team dominated the match and at times produced some exciting attacking football but they let too many chances go begging. Brugge keeper Simon Mignolet was on sparkling form on the night as well.
The Rojiblancos are currently third in the group with four points and that's one point and one position ahead of the Werkself. The clash between the Red and Whites and the Black and Reds could be decisive in terms of playing in Europe after the group stage. If Atlético win they will have a good chance of reaching the Round of 16. Bayer 04 would then be out of Europe this term.
Simeone will have to manage without his injured captain Koke for the game against the Black and Reds. Marcos Llorente and Thomas Lemar are also ruled out through injury.
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.
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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.
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Rogier Meijer is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and returning to his native Netherlands: The 44-year-old will take over at Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam on 1 July. Meijer has been part of the Werkself coaching set-up since the start of the 2025/26 season - first as assistant coach to Erik ten Hag, then on Kasper Hjulmand's staff.
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Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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