Leverkusen’s eSports pro ‘deto’ has recently been taking part in tournaments at regular intervals. This week there was an international online event that included games against eSports players from Djurgardens IF (Norway) and VfL Wolfsburg. The three-time world champion meets VfB eSports player Niklas ‘Nik_Lugi’ Luginsland on Saturday in the ‘Bundesliga Home Challenge’.
Wollin’s partner Nadiem Amiri is looking forward to the clash with Stuttgart’s second division player Atakan Karazor. He has picked up the controller a lot over the past couple of weeks. “I think I’m pretty good,” said the 23-year-old who is backing his virtual self in holding midfield in his favoured formation of 4-4-2 and he is more of a quiet type of player in front of the computer screen – with one exception as he revealed with a wink: “Except when I’m playing against my friends. It can get a bit louder.”
The Bundesliga Home Challenge:
As a result of the suspension of fixtures in German professional football and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the DFL has set up the Bundesliga Home Challenge. 29 of the 36 Bundesliga clubs are represented on matchday two. The teams are made up of one first-team player per club plus "one person from the relevant club or associated with it." In addition, Deniz Aytekin and Daniel Schlager make up the Bundesliga referees team.
The challenge is played in the so-called 85 mode on PlayStation 4 without an official ranking. The virtual players therefore have the same overall strength. On matchday one, 'deto' and Adrian Stanilewicz played Darmstadt 98, ‘deto’ and Wendell took on a Dynamo Dresden team on matchday two.
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.
Show more
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.
Show more
The Bayer 04 Women’s squad for the coming season is continuing to take shape: Centre-back Emily Wallrabenstein has moved to Leverkusen from Eintracht Frankfurt’s reserve team, who play in the Women’s Bundesliga 2. The 19-year-old has penned a contract until 30 June 2028.
Show more
Bayern 04 Women have confirmed another summer signing, with midfielder Paulina Platner moving to Leverkusen from SGS Essen. The 20-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the Werkself.
Show more
