The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger reports a "goal-packed training session" for the Black and Reds. Nadiem Amiri and Lucas Alario put the game "beyond any chance of excitement in no time at all" with the goals to make it 2-0 and 3-0. One young attacker for the Werkself was particularly impressive: "In the middle of all the lively passing and dribbling, it was the 17-year-old Florian Wirtz who was involved in practically every halfway dangerous attack."
The Kölnische Rundschau headline reads: "Leverkusen give nothing away." According to the newspaper, the Black and Reds were "clinical" in the first half hour and went on to play "in overdrive." The report continues: "Even after the shortest period of preparation for all participants on this weekend, Leverkusen did not wobble at any point."
Another journal describes the performance of the Werkself as a "successful afternoon of football." The Rheinische Post sees the goal from new signing Patrik Schick to make it 7-0 as the "icing on the cake" of this clash. Furthermore: "With the efficiency of the first half over the full 90 minutes, the game could have ended with a double-digit win." Nadiem Amiri and Florian Wirtz received the best individual assessments.
According to the Stuttgarter Zeitung, the Werkself, playing against Norderstedt, "did not show any mercy for the fourth-tier visitors in the first 30 minutes." Bayer 04 have reached the next round "thanks to an impressive first half without any problems."
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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