Bayer 04 made a good start to the game and twice had the opportunity to take the lead in the opening 15 minutes against hosts defending deep but Nadiem Amiri twice missed the target (12'/15'). Panagiotis Retsos went one better shortly after that: The Greek defender lobbed the ball over the Ferencváros keeper Denes Dibusz but the goal was ruled out due to a foul in the build-up (24'). The Black and Reds continued to set the pace but failed to turn their commitment into goals. There was a lack of bright ideas in front of the opposition goal and the final pass did not get through.
Eleven minutes into the second 45, the ball was in the back of the Ferencváros nets once again but this goal was chalked off as the scorer Paulinho was offside when Lucas Alario played the ball to him. At the other end, the Hungarians took the lead out of the blue with their first shot on goal: Olexandr Zubkov crossed from the left flank to the near post where Aissa Laidouni escaped his markers to head home the opener (82'). The Werkself again pressed forward in the closing stages but had no luck in front of goal on the night so that the match ended in a 1-0 away defeat. HERE is the full match report.
Even though the defeat did not affect winning the group, the Leverkusen players were unhappy with the result. "In spite of the defeat, I think we controlled the game and had the better chances," said Amiri after the final whistle. "We were unlucky in the end but we have to carry on. It counts again from the next round." Defender Jonathan Tah added: "We had one or two good opportunities where we didn't make the most of our chances. In spite of winning the group, we're going home unhappy because of this result. But that should fit in with our aspirations."
Head coach Gerardo Seoane identified an "unnecessary defeat that we are obviously disappointed with." The team were very lively and "did a lot" so that the Swiss coach was not able to make any complaints in terms of commitment. "I think," said the 43-year-old, "that we dominated the game and posed a greater threat. We have to accept the criticism that we were not resolute enough in the final third."
Andrey Lunev can cross off his debut for Bayer 04 as he made his first appearance in goal for the Werkself in Budapest. Ahead of the match, Seoane stressed that the 30-year-old shot-stopper had earned his chance to play "through his impressive performances in training." The Russian new signing fitted into the team brilliantly from day one and has always supported the number one keeper Lukas Hradecky. Now he has been able to stand in him for the first time. That also pleased his teammates: "He's a very good lad who always works hard and is always positive," said Amiri to Bayer 04 TV after the match. Lunev is the seventeenth goalkeeper to play for the Werkself in the 35 years of European competition for the club to date.
As equally unnecessary as the defeat was an incident in added time: Marijan Cabraja came in late on Jeremie Frimpong and brought the Dutchman down with a bad foul. The 21-year-old, who came off the bench on 71 minutes, was unable to carry on. "Jeremie received a heavy blow to his ankle. We'll need to investigate further. I can't say anything definite but I think playing him at the weekend is questionable at the moment," said Seoane after the final whistle.
The Werkself have played in the Europa League seven times and progressed to the next round from the group stage seven times – an impressive record. The defeat at Ferencváros did not change anything in terms of going through as the Black and Reds were already the winners of Group G with a match to play. However, a run ended with the 1-0 defeat on Thursday night as it was the first away defeat for Bayer 04 in the current 2021/22 campaign. Tah and Co. were unbeaten in the previous nine games this season. But another run continues after the group stage: The Werkself have not lost any of their 15 home games in the Europa League group stages (12 wins, 3 draws). No other team in the history of this competition have played as often at home as Bayer 04 without losing a single game.
"Restructured Bayer team find it tough," was the headline in the Kölnische Rundschau alluding to the many personnel changes for the game at Ferencváros. In contrast to the 7-1 win against SpVgg Greuther Fürth only Edmond Tapsoba and Exequiel Palacios were left. Lunev made his debut and Panagiotis Retsos made his second start this season. Kicker talked about a "blemish in the last match" and highlighted the Werkself "had to end up with the first defeat in this year's group stage of the Europa League on the final matchday of all games." The analysis in the football journal also revealed that Bayer 04 were "only rarely" able to disturb the Hungarian team’s back five and the attacking efforts in the final third were "too involved."
Recovery is now on the agenda for the Werkself as the next match in the Bundesliga is just around the corner: On Sunday, 12 December (kick-off: 17.30 CET), skipper Hradecky and Co. are in action at Eintracht Frankfurt. The Black and Reds only return to the Europa League campaign in March: Then they will be in the Round of 16. The first leg will be played on Thursday, 10 March, with the return match being played a week later against the opponent coming through from the second group stage.
New signing Miguel Gutiérrez arrives in Leverkusen having won the Champions League, the Spanish league title and an Olympic gold medal. However, the 25-year-old Spaniard, signed from Napoli, is looking to the future – he wants to write the next chapter of success with the Werkself. Bayer04.de takes a closer look at the skilful, attack-minded left-back, who will wear the number 3 jersey.
Show more
The Werkself's training camp in Weimarer Land all in one place: in our daily blog you'll find all the insights and updates from the day. Day three (Tuesday 4 August) begins with a thorough open session on the pitch. After lunch, some players have media engagements at the team hotel, and then the team come together for a barbecue in the evening.
Show more
Nine matches against teams from nine countries, two penalty shoot-outs won, and encounters that went far beyond football: As with last year, the Inklusionswerkself enjoyed an extraordinary week at the Genuine Cup 2026 in Houston, USA, and made memories that will last a lifetime. This year, the Leverkusen side took part as Germany’s official representatives and, accordingly, took to the pitch in Germany kit. Together with 53 teams from 53 nations, the Black and Reds once again sent a powerful message of inclusion and participation – and also impressed on the pitch by winning their group.
Show more
The Werkself training camp in the Weimarer Land all in one place: in our daily blog, you’ll find all the insights and updates from the day. The programme for day two (Monday, 3 August) centres on two training sessions – one in the morning (open to the public) and one in the early evening (behind closed doors) – at the nearby training grounds. In the afternoon, fans can look forward to a big fan meet-up with club legend Paulo Sergio at Schloss Blankenhain.
Show more
