The U19s secured a 3-2 win against the Middle Rhine League veterans eleven thanks to goals from Michel Eickschläger, Samed Onur and Niklas Determann. The Bayer 04 youth team came back from a goal down to take a 3-1 lead. But for the coaching team of Markus von Ahlen and Patrick Weiser giving players match practice after injury or having had less time on the pitch was more important than the result. “The lads were all very committed,” praised von Ahlen. “Overall, it was a very good friendly for us.”
The U19s return to action on Sunday 18 October (kick-off: 11.00 CEST) with a home game in the U19 Bundesliga West: Rot-Weiß Oberhausen, who picked up maximum points on the first two match days, visit Leverkusen.
Seven points from three games in the U17 Bundesliga West: The points haul for the Leverkusen U17s has been impressive to date. The team coached by Jan Hoepner and Thomas Zdebel went into the current international break second in the table – but there is no rest at Kurtekotten. On Saturday morning, 10 October, the Black and Reds have a friendly away to the Fortuna Köln U17s. The Bundesliga a meeting between these two teams in the middle of September ended all square at 2-2.
The Bayer 04 U17s do not have a fixture on the next matchday (16 to 18 October) – they have free weekend in the 17 club league. A home friendly against the TSV Meerbusch U19s is planned for Tuesday 20 October.
In five games in the U15 Regional League West, the highest tier in Germany for U15 teams, the Werkself youngsters have only conceded one goal – in the 3-1 win at Wuppertal. That is the best form in the whole of the league. On Saturday 10 October (kick-off:15.00 CEST), the second-placed team from Leverkusen are away to the side with the second best defence in the league: SC Preußen Münster. The Westphalians have only conceded two goals in four games.
For the Leverkusen U14s, at the moment most successful team in the Youth Cup, have an away game at VfL Bochum. The match on Saturday 10 October kicks off at 15.15 CEST. That’s followed for the Black and Reds by a league match free weekend.
Other fixtures:
U12 v Schalke 04 (L)
U10 v Bayer Wuppertal (F)
U9 v Alemannia Aachen (F)
U8 v Viktoria Köln (F)
(L) = League | (F) = Friendly
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.
Show more
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.
Show more
The Bayer 04 Women’s squad for the coming season is continuing to take shape: Centre-back Emily Wallrabenstein has moved to Leverkusen from Eintracht Frankfurt’s reserve team, who play in the Women’s Bundesliga 2. The 19-year-old has penned a contract until 30 June 2028.
Show more
Bayern 04 Women have confirmed another summer signing, with midfielder Paulina Platner moving to Leverkusen from SGS Essen. The 20-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the Werkself.
Show more
