Leverkusen arrived in London as newly crowned Bundesliga champions and had the first effort of the second leg through Nathan Tella, who was denied by Lukasz Fabianski at full stretch. West Ham were far more outgoing in this game compared to the first leg at the BayArena and soon forged ahead on the night when Michael Antonio headed in Jarrod Bowen’s cross. The hosts continued to force the issue as Bayer 04 struggled to gain a foothold. Alonso changed things up at the break with the introduction of Victor Boniface and Jeremie Frimpong. It had the desired effect as the Werkself began to exert some control, with Frimpong in particular having a couple of big chances to level. As West Ham pushed for a second goal that would force extra-time, Frimpong put the tie to bed with a shot from right of goal that deflected in to earn a 1-1 draw and a place in the Europa League final four. It also extended Leverkusen’s unbeaten run this season to 44 competitive fixtures, which is a new record by a team in Europe’s top five leagues. You can read more about the match in our report.
Alonso was not shy in providing a bit of criticism after the game at his press conference: “It was an exciting game with two different halves. In the first, we lacked some things, lost the ball too easily. The players knew after the first half that we can do better. We wanted to show character and control the game better.” When it came to the second half, the boss said: “We had much more control and got into more dangerous areas more often again. But Jeremie had a big influence on the game. In the end it was a little fortunate. This will be a lesson to us.” Looking ahead to a re-run of last year’s semi-final against Roma, the Spaniard added: “It’s a second chance for us, not revenge. We want to do better.”
Granit Xhaka also said in summary: “We need to look at ourselves. That was English football. A good move and the fans are there. We were maybe a bit surprised. We had more grit and control in the second half. We did what’s made us so good all season long.”
Bild ran with the header “Late goal keeps amazing run going” and also added: “For a long time it looked as if Bayer would suffer their first defeat of this season because the team put in its worst performance of the season in the first half.” kicker wrote: “Fast start from West Ham, then feeble. Frimpong takes Leverkusen to semi-finals and new record”. The Rheinische Post summarised: “The hosts seemed to run out of steam a little in the closing stages after their high-intensity performance, but they still posed a latent threat. When Frimpong put a great chance over and shortly afterwards made it 1-1, the East Londoners’ hopes were gone.”
The Dutchman’s introduction provided new momentum and allowed the team to keep a number of streaks alive. Bayer 04 have scored in all 10 Europa League games this season and have scored nine goals from substitutes in the competition – the most of any team. Leverkusen’s seven goals in the final 15 minutes is also the most by a team in the Europa League this season.
Bayer 04 had nine shots to West Ham’s 14, but the visitors were ahead in most other regards, such as 57.5 percent possession and 56 percent of challenges won. Leverkusen boasted a pass completion of 85 percent (West Ham: 83.5 percent) as they extended their unbeaten run in the Europa League to a club-record 11 matches.
The Werkself now face two tough games back in the Bundesliga as they visit Borussia Dortmund this Sunday before hosting third-placed VfB Stuttgart the following Saturday at the BayArena.
Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.
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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.
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Rogier Meijer is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and returning to his native Netherlands: The 44-year-old will take over at Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam on 1 July. Meijer has been part of the Werkself coaching set-up since the start of the 2025/26 season - first as assistant coach to Erik ten Hag, then on Kasper Hjulmand's staff.
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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.
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