The kicker makes special mention of winter signing Exequiel Palacios. The Argentinian played "a key role" in his "decent" debut. And in further comment on the holding midfielder: "The international could play alongside Demirbay in what would be an even more significant role against BVB. Not just alongside one but also three strategists (Aránguiz, Baumgartlinger, Demirbay, ed.). Not a problem as Palacios was the main man on the pitch at River Plate as the focus in midfield."
The specialist sports journal also uses Kai Havertz' words as a headline: "That was unnecessarily exciting." The analysis of the Werkself win reads: "The 2-1 win keeps Bayer in this competition – but the Werkself showed no sign of domination against the second division side. Little structure, no recognisable desire, a lack of seriousness – Bayer actually needed an own goal from the opposition, in fact the eighth of the season, a fortunate strike from Alario and all the luck in the world when an unmarked Mateo Klimowicz missed the chance to equalise with one minute to play."
In the individual analysis in the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, the Argentinian striker, and yesterday's goalscorer, Lucas Alario came out on top. The reasoning: "He would have scored the opening goal if Havertz hadn't made his header in the first half into an offside goal, with the second goal Havertz let the ball run." Jonathan Tah, who came on for the second half, was also highlighted, ("Definitely a security factor in the Bayer defence").
The Kölnische Rundschau identifies "carelessness" as a "constant companion" of Bayer 04. In addition to that: "Leverkusen should actually have had enough of this unnecessary experience that is in complete contrast to the promise of their talent."
The Rheinische Post comes to the following conclusion: "Bayer struggled through to the quarter-finals. In the first half, the hosts were slow, lacked precision and ideas. Bayer did not give the impression that it was an all-or-nothing match in the clash with the promotion candidates from Baden-Württemberg.
It was the visitors from Stuttgart's turn after the restart. Nicolas Gonzales beat substitute Jonathan Tah but was unable to get past the Bayer keeper Lukas Hradecky (48'). After the big chance for the visitors, Bayer looked more committed without creating many goalscoring opportunities. In the end, the Werkself needed the help of the Stuttgart keeper for the opening goal."
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed France U17 international Kenan Doganay. The 1.90-metre-tall defensive midfielder, who has Turkish roots, joins Leverkusen from the U19s at French top-flight club Olympique Lyon. He will initially train with and play for the U19 team.
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The Sports Tribunal of the German Football Association (DFB) has fined Bayer 04 Leverkusen €185,000 for spectators setting off pyrotechnic devices during a total of five competitive matches. This relates to four Bundesliga matches and the DFB Pokal semi-final against Bayern Munich. The highest individual fine relates to the away match at FC Köln at the end of April.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with U19 goalkeeper Simeon Rapsch. The Germany youth international goalkeeper has signed a long-term contract with the Werkself running to 30 June 2029. The 18-year-old joined Leverkusen from FC Viktoria Köln in the summer of 2024.
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Ken Izekor is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen to join third-tier side Alemannia Aachen with immediate effect. The 19-year-old centre-forward joined the club from Alemannia in 2018, and Izekor is now returning to his hometown.
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