Head coach Kasper Hjulmand made three changes to his starting XI compared to the 2-1 loss at home to Borussia Dortmund three days earlier: Jarell Quansah, Martin Terrier and Christian Kofane replaced Loïc Badé, Malik Tillman and Patrik Schick. BVB made four changes from the previous clash in Leverkusen.
After a hectic ten minutes with a number of poor passes on both sides, both BVB and Bayer 04 started to pop up more frequently in dangerous areas. However, the first attempts were all successfully blocked. Edmond Tapsoba (17') and Ibrahim Maza (20') both got forward but shot wide, while at the other end Jonas Hofmann saved with his head from the onrushing Daniel Svensson (25'). Then, nine minutes later, Mark Flekken started a move which ended in the opposition penalty area and led to the opening goal! Álex Grimaldo played Maza in deep and, somehow, in a scramble against three Dortmund players, he managed to hold onto the ball and then calmly slotted it into the far corner to make it 1-0 (34'). BVB now turned up the heat again, with Robert Andrich making a last-gasp impressive block from a Karim Adeyemi shot (40'). As a result, Leverkusen went into the break with a narrow lead.
The second half had already been underway for a quarter of an hour when the Werkself doubled their lead during a period of pressure from Dortmund. However, Terrier's goal, his first in a competitive match this season, was chalked off for offside in the 60th minute. Shortly afterwards, Schick and Tillman replaced Kofane and Terrier, providing some fresh attacking impetus for Leverkusen. Schick had his first sight of goal with a header in the 73rd minute, which BVB keeper Gregor Kobel saved. At the other end, Nico Schlotterbeck went just wide with a long-range effort (77'). The final phase, including six minutes of stoppage time, was as combative and emotional as expected. Adeyemi headed into the side netting (90'+5), then the final whistle sounded at Signal Iduna Park! Bayer 04 were in the quarter-finals!
There's no let-up in the Werkself's exciting run-up to Christmas. The next challenge comes on Saturday, 6 December (kick-off: 15:30 CET) at FC Augsburg. This will be followed by the final Champions League clash of the year against Newcastle United. Kick-off is at 21:00 CET on Wednesday, 10 December at the BayArena. The two final opponents in 2025 will be 1. FC Köln - in Leverkusen - and RB Leipzig away from home. Click HERE for an overview of the current status of ticket sales.
Match stats:
Dortmund: Kobel - Anton, Can, Schlotterbeck - Ryerson (67' Beier), Bellingham, Nmecha (74' Groß), Svensson (86' Bensebaini) - Adeyemi, Chukwuemeka (67' Brandt) - Silva (67' Guirassy)
Bayer 04: Flekken - Quansah, Andrich, Tapsoba - Hofmann (90'+2 Badé), Maza, Garcia, Grimaldo - Terrier (61' Tillman), Poku (83' Tella) - Kofane (61' Schick)
Goal: 0-1 Maza (34')
Yellow cards: Anton, Bellingham, Can - Andrich, Tillman
Refree: Tobias Stieler (Sölden im Schwarzwald)
Attendance: 81,365 (sold out) at Signal Iduna Park
Bayer 04 were beaten 2-1 at home by Borussia Dortmund on Matchday 12 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season. Although the Werkself had more of the play in the first half, the visitors went ahead through Aaron Anselmino. Karim Adeyemi doubled their advantage after the hour, but Christian Kofane gave Leverkusen late hope, although ultimately to no avail.
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There won’t just be plenty of excitement on the pitch as Bayer 04 host Borussia Dortmund at the BayArena at 18:30 CET on Saturday. Outside the stadium there will be collection points for food donations to the Leverkusen Foodbank, which will also benefit from the profits of a jersey raffle in the Fanwelt afterwards. There will also be a minute’s silence before kick-off following the passing of long-time Werkself player Dieter Herzog, before two fan clubs are honoured for their decades-long support at half-time and fans receive a talk about Orange Day, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
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Bayer 04 go into the first of two successive clashes with Borussia Dortmund boosted by their Champions League win at Manchester City. Ahead of the Bundesliga top match on Saturday, 29 November (kick-off: 18:30 CET), coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the tight schedule, BVB's strengths and returning squad members.
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Borussia Dortmund are doing very well in terms of points and results in the Bundesliga, the DFB Pokal and the UEFA Champions League. BVB have only suffered two defeats to date this term. Now coach Niko Kovac's team are away to the Werkself on Saturday night, 29 November (kick-off: 18:30 CET) in the top match on Bundesliga matchday 12. The two teams meet again three days later in the DFB Pokal Round of 16 tie in Dortmund. Two very competitive encounters are on the cards. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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The annual Black and Red Week is up and running. And day four on Black Friday 28 November, includes discounts on all New Balance items including jerseys...
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