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."
A group of about 50 members of the Bayer 04 Football Academy São Paulo visited Leverkusen over the past few days, accompanied by Bayer 04 club legend Paulo Sergio and Luiz Felipe (managing director of academy in São Paulo) for a week full of football, encounters and very special insights. In addition to the Bundesliga away game in Elversberg and the home game against Union Berlin, the visit also featured a joint training session with the Bayer 04 Football Academy in Leverkusen and a tour of the Bayer AG facilities. The guests also gained special insights into the club and the world of Bayer 04.
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The men's clothing retailer LERROS will remain the official fashion and premium partner of Bayer 04 for the current season. As in the past, LERROS will provide the club's men's team, coaching staff and management with high-quality clothing for international trips.
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“Diaby! Diaby! Diaby!” was the cry around the BayArena as the Werkself danced in front of the north stand following their 4-0 win over Union Berlin. Captain Edmond Tapsoba gave his new (and old) teammate a friendly shove forward to take in the acclaim from the fans. The returning Frenchman was typically reserved in thanking the supporters but was clearly emotional about what was happening.
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Bayer 04 produced a dominant and impressive 4-0 win over Union Berlin as they picked up three points in their first home game of the 2026/27 Bundesliga campaign. Exequiel Fernández opened the scoring after only 41 seconds, with Facundo Medina doubling the lead before the half-hour mark. Patrik Schick and Ibrahim Maza continued the procession in the second period, in which Moussa Diaby came on for his first Leverkusen appearance for over three years.
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