“There was no miracle but we saw a renaissance in controlled football. We created several clear-cut chances, which is not a given against Atlético," said Schade in his speech at the post-match banquet in the team hotel.
In addition to the players plus coaches and support staff, invitations to the event went out to representatives of the press, sponsors and many fans. They all listened intently to Schade when he gave his assessment of this season's European campaign. "We can leave the European stage for this season with our heads held high and not by the back door. We remain unbeaten away from home and we have played well, particularly in the group stage," said the CEO.
He finished by looking forward: "We want to experience games like this again next season. I'm sure, if we can take forward the power and enthusiasm shown today then we will again be able to qualify for Europe next season."
Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
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Bayer 04 are away to third-division club SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal. That was the outcome of the draw on Saturday night, 6 June, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. The Werkself first round tie will be played between 21 and 24 August. The exact date has yet to be finalised.
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Carles Martìnez is raring to go. The 42-year-old speaks in his first interview in Leverkusen about the club's development to date and how he wants to build on it. He describes his previous work in France, Kuwait, Qatar and his native Barcelona, his experience in developing young players, and the key steps between now and the start of pre-season training.
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New Bayer 04 head coach Carles Martínez has arrived in Leverkusen! At midday on Friday, the 42-year-old spoke in a press conference at the BayArena about his philosophy and his aims. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes also discussed the reasons for appointing the former Toulouse boss.
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