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."
The long-standing successful collaboration between Bayer 04 and the transport service provider wupsi GmbH has been expanded: From January 2026, 100 wupsi bikes with Bayer 04 branding will be available for hire throughout the city of Leverkusen. They will complement the many existing offers and services that provide key support, especially for fans travelling to and from home matches at the BayArena.
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The Werkself are back! Following the two-week winter break, head coach Kasper Hjulmand's team began the new year with an open session on Sunday. After Robert Andrich and his teammates arrived in Leverkusen yesterday for the official check-in, they got back down to business a day later in front of around 1,200 fans at the Ulrich Haberland Stadion. The report from the Werkself's first session of 2026.
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After a two-week winter break, the Werkself resume training on Sunday, 4 January. The first session in 2026 at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium starts at 11:00 and is open to fans. Bayer 04 look forward to welcoming supporters at the start of 2026. The Werkself schedule for the new year.
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After being nominated for the Bundesliga Goal of the Year 2025, Martin Terrier's wonderful strike for the opener against FC Köln is now also up for selection for the ARD Sportschau Goal of the Month award for December 2025. Bayer 04 fans have until 19:00 CET on 10 January to vote for the French forward.
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