The online Sunday edition of the Kölner Stadt Anzeiger believes Bayer 04 missed the chance of taking a big step forward to the Champions League against Stuttgart. A combination of carelessness and silly mistakes affected the team coached by Heiko Herrlich in the 1-0 defeat against VfB Stuttgart and now they have to rely on other teams and better performances of their own in the final two games against Werder Bremen and Hannover 96." Another reason behind the 1-0 scoreline was the performance of Stuttgart's outstanding keeper Ron-Robert Zieler: "The VfB goalkeeper reacted brilliantly half a dozen times including the penalty save. And his one mistake on 66 minutes, when he gave the ball away to Bellarabi, he rectified himself."
The Sonntags Express also criticizes the Werkself finishing: "Are Bayer going to let Champions League qualification slip through their hands in the run-in? After three defeats in succession nerves are jangling under the Bayer cross. Why? Because the Bayer attack was a complete flop! Squandering chances started on 15 minutes … Bayer's first culprit. Lucas Alario missed the gift of a penalty. In the absence of the usual penalty taker Wendell, the Argentinian hit the ball towards the left corner of the net at a comfortable height - no problem for Stuttgart's keeper Zieler. It was Kevin Volland's turn in the second half. After a brilliant solo run by Lars Bender, the unmarked striker fired the ball into the stands from eleven yards out."
The Stuttgarter Zeitung report from Leverkusen focuses on VfB Stuttgart's European ambitions: "The VfB captain Christian Gentner made the Stuttgart fans happy with a header back across the Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno. The newcomers to the top flight won 1-0 at Bayer Leverkusen thanks to Gentner's strike and are now on 45 points with two games to play. The team coached by Tayfun Korkut are just one point behind Eintracht Frankfurt in seventh place in the Bundesliga. After matchday 34, that position would ensure qualification for the Europa League."
And Kicker also sees the Swabian team as candidates for the Europa League: "A mercilessly efficient VfB Stuttgart have moved up to seventh thanks to a 1-0 win at Bayer 04 Leverkusen. The Swabians only needed one real chance and an impressive Ron-Robert Zieler to secure a flattering win against the Werkself who missed a number of chances and have now conceded the fourth Champions League qualification place to Hoffenheim with a host of missed chances."
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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