Compared with the 3-0 defeat in the first leg in Munich, head coach Xabi Alonso made four changes to his starting XI. Bayer 04 made an intense start to this all-or-nothing encounter as they pressed high against the visitors from Munich. Given their lead from last week, FC Bayern played cautiously but they did have problems with the tempo of the Werkself attack.
Exequiel Palacios had the first attempt on goal for Bayer 04 on twelve minutes with Harry Kane making the first effort at the other end (15'). The double winners – driven on by the electric atmosphere at the BayArena – then controlled the game while FCB again and again looked to run down the clock. Shortly after a headed effort from Patrik Schick, Mario Hermoso was unable to carry on due to a shoulder injury and he was replaced by Robert Andrich (39'). Schick with another header had the last big chance of the first half but the Czechia international only hit the side netting (44'). Bayer 04 impressed but were unable to convert their superiority into goals.
FC Bayern made the better start to the second half with Kane opening the scoring after a free kick on 52 minutes. Five minutes later, Lukas Hradecky made an impressive save to deny Kingsley Coman with the danger at the other end first coming from Dayot Upamecano almost turning the ball into his own net (63'). Frimpong (65') and Alejandro Grimaldo (66') plus Schick (67') also had efforts on goal in a phase when Leverkusen pressed up front. But the next goal was scored by FC Bayern with Alphonso Davies rounding off a fast breakaway to make it 2-0 (71'). Jamal Musiala also hit the woodwork twice (82', 86') and a shot from Palacios was saved by the FCB keeper Jonas Urbig (90+2'). The final whistle soon followed to seal the exit for Bayer 04 in the Round of 16 of the 2024/25 Champions League campaign.
The Werkself have one league fixture before the final international break of the season: The away game at VfB Stuttgart is on Sunday, 16 March (kick-off: 19:30 CET). After the international break, VfL Bochum visit the BayArena and that is followed by the DFB Pokal semi-final at Arminia Bielefeld.
Match stats:
Bayer 04: Hradecky - Arthur (Boniface 65’), Tah, Hermoso (Andrich 39’), Hincapie - Xhaka, Palacios - Frimpong, Garcia (Adli 65’), Grimaldo (Buendía 84’) - Schick
FC Bayern: Urbig - Laimer (Stanisic 46’), Upamecano, Kim, Davies - Goretzka (Palhinha 84’), Kimmich - Olise (Ito 69’), Musiala, Coman (Gnabry 58’) - Kane (Müller 84’)
Goals: 0-1 Kane (52’), 0-2 Davies (71’)
Booked: Hermoso, Xhaka, Schick, Alonso (head coach) - Laimer, Coman, Kane
Referee: Slavko Vincic (Slovenia)
Attendance: 30,210 (sold out) at the BayArena
After eight years in the youth set-up at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Benjamin Adam is leaving the club. The 35-year-old, who most recently coached the Leverkusen U17s, will take charge of the Hansa Rostock U19 team next season.
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There was a successful end to the women's internationals with Werkself players Carlotta Wamser and Cornelia Kramer qualifying for the 2027 World Cup finals in Brazil. A third Leverkusen player is still in with a chance of joining them. The Germany U23 players also experienced success in their last two international friendlies of the season.
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Traveling to North America for the World Cup this summer to see your favorite Bayer 04 players? Here’s a quick cheat sheet with thumbnail portraits and insider tips for each city from a local expert, so you can make the most of your visit and activities beyond the game!
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A fresh look for the BayArena: The Bayer 04 stadium will have new seating in the form of folding seats for the 2026/27 campaign that will ensure significantly improved seating comfort and simplified movement within the rows of seats. As part of routine replacement after 17 years, fans of the Werkself were able to purchase the existing seats, used to witness the first German league title in the club's history. In addition, a large proportion of the seats will be donated to charitable projects, primarily in the local region. Bayer 04 fans can look forward to new, functional folding seats for the season opener at the beginning of August - still in the club colours of black and red, of course. A glimpse at the BayArena during the refurbishment.
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