
After a balanced first half it was the hosts who struck first at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. Akkaynak got on the end of a good ball and found the back of the FC Köln net to give Bayer 04 the lead.
Following substitutions during the break, Köln improved in the second half. Within 10 minutes the visitors turn the game round with two goals.
Late decider
Instead of an equaliser, a breakaway attack in the closing stages led to FC Köln sealing victory with a third goal. "The lads gave everything right to the end but were unable to find the finishing touch," said coach Markus von Ahlen.
Schalke 04 next up
The Bayer 04 U19s do not have time to let their heads drop. The next big challenge is on Sunday when the team travels to the big away game at FC Schalke 04. With two games to play the U19s are level on points with the Royal Blues in second position.
At the end of the season that position would be enough to qualify for the German Championship semi-finals.
Match stats:
Bayer 04 U19: Prinz - Popovic, Nesseler, Rhein (Yalcin 72’), Osawe, Mbay, Grym (Handwerker 46’), Abu Hanna, Stanilweicz (Shala 59’), Akkaynak, Schreck (Bednarczyk 59’).
Arminia Bielefeld U19: Theißen - Goden (Wendel 87’), Jakobs, Sonnenberg (Miotke 46’), Brackelmann, Akalp, Rittmüller (Bezerra 59’), Ciftci, Churlinov, Szöke, Ametov (Karweina 46’).
Goals: 1-0 Akkaynak (45’), 1-1 Jakobs (68’), 1-2 Bezerra (78’), 1-3 Karweina (87’).
Booked: / - Churlinov.
Referee: Orbach (Cologne).
NEXT U19 GAMES:
| Competition |
Opponents |
Venue | Date |
Kick-off |
| Bundesliga | FC Schalke 04 | A | 30.04. | 13:00 |
| Bundesliga | Viktoria Köln | H | 06.05. | 13:00 |


From special edition jerseys to fan banners, the home game against Mainz 05 was all about the many Bayer 04 fan clubs. Accordingly, a fitting tribute to the long-standing Werkself supporters was not to be missed during half-time in the Bundesliga match. Fernando Carro, CEO, honoured the up to 50-year anniversaries of six fan clubs in front of the coaches' benches at the BayArena.
Show more
There’s lots going on at the BayArena today. The home game against FSV Mainz 05 is all about the numerous Bayer 04 fan clubs, whose birth - the founding of the "1. Fanclub 1976 Leverkusen" - dates back 50 years. A number of fan club representatives will be involved in awards, a banner display and a half-time matchday chat, and the Werkself are set to play in a special white fan club jersey. During half-time, Leverkusen mayor Stefan Hebbel and javelin world champion Steffi Nerius will also talk about the Olympic bid involving Leverkusen. Black and Red fans are advised to get to the stadium in good time today. Matchday news.
Show more
The Werkself host Premier League club Arsenal in the Round of 16 first leg in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign. The match at the BayArena is on 10/11 March. Read on for information on ticket sales for this fixture.
Show more
The draw for the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 was made today, Friday 27 February: Bayer 04 face Premier League leaders Arsenal. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes sees the English team as a "top opponent" and is looking forward to meeting former Werkself players Kai Havertz and Piero Hincapie again.
Show more
After three consecutive victories, FSV Mainz 05 recently suffered setbacks against Borussia Dortmund (0-4) and Hamburger SV (1-1) in the battle to stay up. Nevertheless, the Mainz 05 performance curve has shown a clear upward trend in recent weeks. Their coach and a former Leverkusen player in particular have played a decisive role in this. The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show more