
The Welt am Sonntag headline reads: ‘Leverkusen scrape to victory’ and the report states: “Leverkusen made hard work of it, particularly in attack. Lucas Alario converted a penalty on 26 minutes to open the scoring but Heiko Herrlich’s team then failed to extend their lead. Again and again, the Werkself floundered on Pforzheim’s defence, their own inability and the bar.”
The Bild am Sonntag quotes the Bayer 04 coach Heiko Herrlich: “I’m glad we’ve overcome this hurdle. We made it very difficult for ourselves.”
The online edition of the Kölner Stadt Anzeiger describes the incident leading to the injury to Julian Baumgartlinger: “Baumgartlinger carelessly lost possession in the opposition half. In his attempt to stop a counter-attack and make amends for his own mistake, the Austrian got his feet caught up on an absurd surface for a DFB fixture and he twisted his left knee. Baumgartlinger, who was full of ambition for the new campaign after an excellent pre-season, was carried off on a stretcher.”
The football analysis in the Stadt Anzeiger reads: “Bayer 04 found it hard going both on a terrible playing surface and against an aggressive and defensive opponent. Due to more chances and 80 per cent possession, Leverkusen did earn the win.” Goalkeeper Ramazan Özcan was named the Bayer 04 man of the match: “He stopped the Werkself going behind with an impressive save (23’) and prevented an equaliser (90’) and he was also always alert. Luck was on his side when Dominik Salz hit the outside of the post (73’).”
The online assessment of the Rheinische Post reads: “Bayer struggled against the defence of the rank outsiders. The difference in leagues was evident in the opening stages with 95 per cent of the action taking place in the Pforzheim half.”

Bayer 04 have ended Artem Stepanov’s loan deal at Nürnberg and agreed a new loan to Utrecht in the Netherlands. The Ukrainian striker did not play as much as hoped for at the Bundesliga 2 club and will now continue his development in the Eredivisie for the rest of 2025/26.
Show more
Following on from the emotional last-minute win at Union Berlin, the Bayer 04 Women now face a promoted team: On Saturday, 31 January (12:00 CET), coach Roberto Pätzold's team welcome FC Nürnberg to the Ulrich Haberland Stadium for their first home game of the new year. In their second season in the Bundesliga, the Franconians have impressed with 16 points from the first 15 games.
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with Germany U19 international Montrell Culbreath. The attacking midfielder and right winger has penned a deal with the Bundesliga club that runs to 30 June 2030. Culbreath has played for the Werkself as a youth player since 2023. Last December, he scored his first Bundesliga goal for the Leverkusen first team in the Bayer 04 3-1 away win at RB Leipzig.
Show more
The Werkself's 3-0 victory over Villarreal in the UEFA Champions League certainly left many happy faces: Malik Tillman was delighted with his brace, Robert Andrich with the clean sheet and coach Kasper Hjulmand with the "manner" of this significant home win. With an overwhelming superiority and over 75 per cent possession at times, Bayer 04 deserved their place in the UCL play-off round. They will face a familiar foe in February. The Werkself review.
Show more