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.
Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 2-1 derby win at 1. FC Köln Matchday 9 of the 2026/27 Bundesliga season...
Show more
There were celebrations among those in black and red at the RheinEnergieSTADION. On Matchday 9 of the 2026/27 Bundesliga season, the Werkself beat 1. FC Köln 2-0 and registered their sixth successive win in the derby. Aleix Garcia put Bayer 04 in front after just seven minutes with a direct free kick. Leverkusen played with discipline and energy after that and didn't allow some fierce challenges to unsettle them. Patrik Schick made it 2-0 in the 86th minute, and Said El Mala's goal in stoppage time for Köln proved nothing more than consolation. Jonas Hofmann crowned the derby win with his 100th appearance for the club.
Show more
Bayer 04 have won each of their last five competitive encounters with 1. FC Köln, and it's around seven years since their last defeat in the cathedral city. That said, the hosts are in strong form at home and will make it anything but easy for the Werkself at the RheinEnergieSTADION on Sunday afternoon (kick-off 15:30 CET). The Matchday News.
Show more
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04 Women's 2-0 win against Hamburger SV on Matchday 9 of the 2026/27 Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga.
Show more
Bayer 04 Women closed the gap on the teams above them in the Bundesliga with a 2-0 win at home to Hamburger SV on Saturday afternoon. Roberto Pätzold's side bided their time at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion before second-half goals from Cornelia Kramer (58') and Lobke Loonen (90'+5) earned them a victory that moves them to within a point of third place, the final Champions League qualification spot.
Show more
