U19s coach Sergi Runge made three changes to the team that had started the weekend’s goalless draw away at Borussia Mönchengladbach as Ferdinand Pohl, Hawighorst and Artem Stepanov came in for Isaiah Eichie, Nils Gernhardt and Ken Izekor, who all dropped to the bench. After an initial spell of getting to grips with each other, the Dutch hosts started to up the pressure, including an attempted chip from the lively Givairo Read – regularly a part of Feyenoord’s senior squad – early on.
At the other end, Stepanov was caught narrowly offside from an Onyeka pass, while Karim Alajbegovic had the best chance of the opening quarter of an hour when denied from a tight angle. Hawighorst did better in the 22nd minute, though, when the left-back was found by Francesco Buono on the overlap before finishing into the far corner from left of centre. It was quick breaks and runs like those that posed the greatest issue to the Dutch side’s defence. Their best chance in the first half saw Jesper Schlich produce a save from Zepiqueno Redmond just before the break.
The hosts made a tactical switch at half-time with a centre-back on for a striker. However, the first opportunity after the restart fell to Leverkusen through Alajbegovic, before Onyeka went one better in the 63rd minute to turn in a corner and double the advantage with managing director for sport Simon Rolfes watching on from the stands. Feyenoord kept going, though, and got a goal back from Ouarghi, who picked out the corner with 11 minutes to go. The Dutch side pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing moments, but Bayer 04 held on for a deserved three points in Rotterdam.
Runge was unsurprisingly pleased with the result and also explained how the opening goal came about: “We want to play with a solid defence and expected Feyenoord to press us high. It meant we often had space behind their back line. We wanted to use that, like we did at the first goal.” The Spaniard also praised his team’s battling display: “We’re very pleased. The boys worked hard together, but that’s nothing new with them. They know they need each other and need to support each other. The mental strain was big for the boys because it’s all been a bit new. Now the pressure’s gone after this first game and we can enjoy the rest of the day and the senior team’s game. Tomorrow we’ll then turn to preparing for our next challenge at the weekend.”
Match stats:
Feyenoord: Ka - Read (Mparaganda 60'), Giersthove, Plug, Arnaud - Elshout Van Den, El Harmouz (Hoepel 74'), Ouarghi - Sliti (Otte 84'), Neijenhuis (Sebbar 46'), Redmond
Bayer 04: Schlich – Raterink, Pohl, Ndi, Hawighorst (Kister 60') - N. Mensah, Buono (Eichie 81') - Culbreath, Onyeka, Alajbegovic (Gernhardt 71') - Stepanov (Izekor 81')
Goals: 0-1 Hawighorst (22'), 0-2 Onyeka (63'), 1-2 Ouarghi (79')
Yellow cards: Sebbar, Ouarghi - Buono, Ndi, N. Mensah
Referee: Jamie Robinson (Northern Ireland)
Attendance: 1,050 at Varkenoord
Former Werkself star Michael Ballack, who won the German Footballer of the Year award in 2002 while playing in Leverkusen, celebrates his 50th birthday on Saturday. Bayer 04 sends him its best wishes!
Show more
Attention Werkself fans: In addition to tickets for the floodlit home match against Werder Bremen, tickets are now also available for the Bayer 04 women’s team’s two subsequent fixtures against Eintracht Frankfurt and Hamburger SV at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. Both matches in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga will take place at family-friendly kick-off times on Saturday afternoons. Here is the latest information on matchday ticket sales.
Show more
Guéla Doué’s first 30 minutes in a Bayer 04 shirt during the draw away at Augsburg have definitely made the summer signing eager for more. The 23-year-old may have had to bide his time following his move from Strasbourg due to a muscular injury, but he’s been able to get a good taste of the BayArena atmosphere while watching from the stands in the home wins over Celje and RB Leipzig, as the Ivory Coast international explained in a chat with media representatives. “The fans’ enthusiasm and passion are incredible,” said Doué, looking forward to what lies ahead. The defender also spoke about his plans for a comeback, his teammates and his younger brother Désiré.
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen welcomes a new official member to the Sponsors’ Club at the start of the 2026/27 campaign. KKV Kabelverlegung GmbH & Co. KG is expanding its existing partnership and will, with immediate effect, act as a supporter of the Bundesliga club at the second-highest partner level, just below the premium tier. As an official partner in the Sponsors’ Club, KKV will now enjoy significantly enhanced visibility during Werkself matches at the BayArena. The new contract is initially valid until 30 June 2028.
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen has extended the existing partnership agreement with EDO Personalservice GmbH and, at the same time, expanded its collaboration with the Cologne-based company. The official partner in the Business Club has been upgraded within Bayer 04’s partner network. The revised and enhanced support for the club has initially been agreed for two years, running until 30 June 2028.
Show more
