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
Bayer 04 - 28.08.2026
Fanwelt event following UEL draw: Autograph session with Culbreath and Sergio
The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
Show more
Europa League - 28.08.2026
Potential UEFA Europa League opponents for the Werkself in 2026/27
On Friday afternoon, it will be decided which eight of the 36 participating teams Bayer 04 will face in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League in 2026/27. At the draw in Monaco (live on UEFA.com), the Werkself will be drawn against two teams from each of the four pots, allocated according to the UEFA club coefficient. A match against an opponent from the same country is ruled out, as is facing more than two clubs from the same national association. Here’s a look at the pots and potential opponents.
Show more
Bayer 04 - 27.08.2026
Exequiel Palacios joins Ipswich Town
After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
Show more
Bayer 04 - 27.08.2026
¡Gracias, Pala! – Farewell after six and a half years at Leverkusen
When Exequiel Palacios moved from the Argentinian club River Plate to Bayer Leverkusen on 1 January 2020, the then 21-year-old could not have imagined just how successful the next six and a half years would be for him. Pala, as he is known, had already won the Copa Libertadores – the most prestigious competition in South American club football – with River Plate. But there were still so many more trophies to come.
Show more
