The match against Roma on Thursday night was something special: Bayer 04 were in a European semi-final for the first time since 2002. “18 May is a very special day for us all. We will talk a bit about the old times and hopefully of course, watch a good game,” said Rüdiger Vollborn, to this day the Leverkusen player with the most appearances and back then the Werkself goalkeeper, two hours before kick-off in the semi-final second leg.
One of the biggest moments in the club’s history was 35 years ago to the day: Bayer 04 won the UEFA Cup on penalties against Espanyol at the BayArena. After a 3-0 defeat in the first leg, the Werkself fought back and ended up as winners of the competition.
A large number of the heroes of 1988 returned to the BayArena to watch this season’s semi-final second leg. “It’s incredible that almost all of us from back then are here. We met up again for the first time ten years ago and repeated that five years ago. Today is the third time. I hope we can make it a regular event,” said Vollborn.
And although it was not enough to go through to the final of the Europa League this year, May 18 in 1988 and in 2023 – above all thanks to the tremendous atmosphere at the BayArena – will never be forgotten in the history of Bayer 04.
The group was made up of Reiner Calmund, Marcus Feinbier, Falko Götz, Minas Hantzidis, Christian Hausmann, Florian Hinterberger, Thomas Hörster, Gerd Kentschke, Knut Reinhardt, Christian Schreier, Rüdiger Vollborn, Herbert Waas and Thomas Zechel.
Bayer 04 face Hamburger SV for the first time since February 2018 in their rearranged Bundesliga Matchday 17 clash. After long years in the second division, the Red Shorts have gradually reestablished themselves in the top flight this season, thanks in particular to their strong home record and third-best tackle success rate in the league. There'll be a fierce battle in the air too, as three of the highest-scoring centre-backs in the Bundesliga could be on the pitch at the Volksparkstadion - two of them for Leverkusen. The Matchday News.
Show more
Video games manufacturer Electronic Arts (EA), together with the Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL), has announced the six nominees for the February 2026 Bundesliga Player of the Month award. Not one, but two Werkself players are on the list in Edmond Tapsoba and Alejandro Grimaldo. Supporters of the Black-and-Reds have from now until midnight on Sunday 8 March to vote!
Show more
After the original fixture on 13 January was postponed due to weather-related structural risks to the Volksparkstadion's roof, Hamburger SV now host Bayer 04 Leverkusen this evening, Wednesday 4 March (kick-off 20:30 CET), in the rearranged Matchday 17 meeting. It's a second home game in three days for HSV - an update on the opponents.
Show more
The German Football League (DFL) has announced the three candidates for Bundesliga ‘Rookie of the Month’ for February. Among the candidates is Werkself player Jarell Quansah. Fans of Bayer 04 can vote for their favourite on the Bundesliga app from now until Thursday, 5 March (23:59 CET).
Show more
