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.
They had their hands full in the VAR centre in Cologne: eight goals were scored at the MEWA Arena on Saturday afternoon, but only four of them were allowed in the end as the Werkself and 1. FSV Mainz 05 closed the season with a 2-2 draw. It means Bayer 04 end the 2024/25 campaign as runners-up with 69 points, representing the fourth-best season in the club's history. What's more, the Werkself are now unbeaten away from home in two whole Bundesliga seasons, with their last away defeat coming exactly two years ago on Matchday 34 of the 2022/23 season at VfL Bochum. The Black-and-Reds can continue the record run next season - albeit without Alonso and Tah. Read what else the eventful final game for the head coach and the defensive leader had to offer in the Werkself Review.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 2-2 draw at Mainz 05 on the 34th matchday of the Bundesliga 2024/25...
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Bayer 04’s final game of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season saw VAR drama and produced a new record for away results with a 2-2 draw in Mainz. The hosts had several goals ruled out before Paul Nebel put them ahead. Patrik Schick’s brace then turned things around in the second half before Jonathan Burkardt’s penalty levelled the game again. It means Leverkusen have now gone 34 away games without defeat in the Bundesliga, which no team has ever done before.
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The Werkself bring down the curtain on their 2024/25 Bundesliga campaign with a game away at Mainz on Saturday (kick-off: 3.30pm CEST). Here’s all you need to know ahead of the Matchday 34 meeting at the MEWA Arena.
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Xabi Alonso is leaving Leverkusen at the end of the season. In his final interview as Werkself coach, he talks about his two-and-a-half years at the helm, the greatest moments of his historic tenure and his appreciation of the connection with the fans and players throughout their remarkable progress together.
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