What the papers say: ‘Leverkusen can still shine’
There is no division in opinion in the media about the impressive performance of Bayer 04 and the deserved 3-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Welt am Sonntag comes to the following conclusion: “Leverkusen earned their victory through brave and attacking football.” The Sunday paper also highlights two numbers: “Under their new coach Hannes Wolf, Bayer have won all three home games and also secured a victory against a team in the top four for the first time this season.”
The Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung draws a troubling conclusion from the perspective of the team from Hessen: “Eintracht games under the Bayer Cross have become a cross to bear. Frankfurt lost their sixth Bundesliga game at Leverkusen. 1-3 on Saturday night, and Bayer 04 deserved to win.” What wasn’t mentioned: As in the previous five games at the BayArena, including the DFB Cup game at the start of the year that makes it six matches, Frankfurt conceded at least three goals again.
“Hardly any gaps” in defence
The report in the online edition of the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger makes the following assessment: “Leverkusen can still shine.” Under the heading ’That was good’ is: “The Werkself as a whole. Particularly during the opening stages of the game, the moves were good and Bayer 04 appeared to have lost the weight off their shoulders.Their game did not fall apart – there were hardly any gaps in the Bayer defence in spite key defender Sven Bender dropping out late on.”
Bild am Sonntag presents the prospects for Bayer 04: “Leverkusen are right back in the race for Europe.” The fact the Werkself did not take the lead in the first half is primarily attributed to the Eintracht goalkeeper: “Kevin Trapp was Frankfurt’s best player up to the break with five saves.” The Rheinische Post adopts the same view in their online edition: “Trapp was centre stage: The home team must have been annoyed that the score was 0-0 at half time.”
“Leverkusen cement European spot six” is the headline in the online report in kicker and they praise the determination of the Werkself and “an outstandingly mature performance.” There is also acclaim for the impressive defence: “The team from Hessen were unable to break down the hosts’ solid defence.”
Related News
Werkself-TV - 12.01.2026
Hjulmand ahead of #HSVB04: ‘Don't panic, stay calm and optimistic’
The Werkself are away to Hamburg SV at the end of the Hinrunde in the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign. The match at the newly promoted club is on Tuesday night, 13 January (kick-off: 20:30 CET). Ahead of the first encounter with HSV since 2018, Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the strengths of the opponents, lessons learnt from the home defeat against VfB Stuttgart and provided a squad update.
Show more
Women - 11.01.2026
Algarve sunshine instead of sub-zero temperatures: Bayer 04 Women start winter training camp
In Germany, the temperatures are currently around zero, leaving even professional footballers freezing - but not the Bayer 04 Women. Roberto Pätzold's team have fled the cold to the south and are preparing for the second half of the season at a training camp in the Algarve, almost 2,000 kilometres away from home as the crow flies. The Leverkusen squad landed in Faro on Saturday morning and have already completed the first three training sessions over the weekend.
Show more
Bundesliga - 11.01.2026
Werkself review #B04VfB: Honest words and looking ahead
It was a disappointing Saturday night. The Werkself lost 4-1 to VfB Stuttgart to start the new year on Bundesliga matchday 16 in 2025/26, a result that left both players and fans disappointed. "We played without any passion," said Alejandro Grimaldo honestly afterwards. Teammate Jarell Quansah was even more self-critical, emphasising: "We were miles off it in the first half. You can't put in a performance like that, especially in front of our own fans and I can only apologise to them, to be honest." Read on for the reaction, facts and stats from the clash with VfB Stuttgart in the Werkself review.
Show more
Women - 11.01.2026
Paulina Bartz joins Hamburg SV on loan
Women’s team forward Paulina Bartz is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen to play for Hamburg SV until the end of the season. The 20-year-old, whose contract runs to 2027, joins the Bundesliga newcomers on loan until the summer.
Show more
