Following the UEFA Europa League final against Atalanta on Wednesday, head coach Xabi Alonso made six changes to his starting line-up. Lukas Hradecky returned in goal instead of Matej Kovac, while Odilon Kossounou, Robert Andrich, Alejandro Grimaldo, Jonas Hofmann and Patrik Schick were also recalled.
With a deafening atmosphere inside Berlin's Olympiastadion, the final also got off to an intense start. Kaiserslautern pressed Bayer 04 high, but the Werkself were not unnerved and were steady in possession. Bayer first threatened through Jeremie Frimpong after 10 minutes, who beat two Lautern players with a strong run down the right, but the Dutchman then went for goal himself instead laying it off into the middle, with goalkeeper Julian Krahl saving. Just four minutes later, Florian Wirtz dribbled into the penalty area but again Krahl was on hand. With the pressure increasing from the Black-and-Reds, Granit Xhaka made it 1-0 shortly after with a curling long-range shot into the corner.
Leverkusen continued to dominate proceedings after the goal, with FCK largely camped in their own half. The next opportunity almost came to Schick in the 26th minute, but the Red Devils' defence cleared just before the ball could reach the Czech from Grimaldo's cross. The German champions were also neat in defence as Kaiserslautern barely appeared in attack. That made the incident shortly before half-time even more surprising: in a challenge on the halfway line, Kossounou, who'd already been booked in the third minute, caught Boris Tomiak on the foot and referee Bastian Dankert gave the defender his marching orders. And so the Werkself went into the dressing room a goal up but a man down.
The second half began with a delay as the game had to be paused due to pyrotechnics being set off. Dankert allowed play to continue in the 50th minute, and Bayer 04 resumed control despite having a man less. Half-time substitutes Amine Adli and Josip Stanisic were a threat straight away, with Adli having a go from distance in the 55th minute and then Stanisic narrowly missing the target with a header from Grimaldo's subsequent corner. After that, the ten-man Werkself went a bit more defensive, allowing Kaiserslautern to see more of the ball. Substitute Ragnar Ache had the best chance up to that point for Friedhelm Funkel's side in the 62nd minute, but Hradecky stretched himself long to tip the low shot behind.
The Black-and-Reds frequently broke up FCK's attacks, such as in the 74th minute, when Wirtz won the ball in his own half before driving forward and then playing in Frimpong, who had run up with him. The wing-back rounded goalkeeper Krahl but then didn't shoot, instead passing into the middle, where no one was stood. The Werkself became more attacking again towards the end of the match and allowed their opponents hardly any relief. Alonso's men created a number of chances, but neither Frimpong or Wirtz could wrap it up with a second goal. After six minutes of stoppage time, it finished 1-0 - Bayer 04 claimed the second DFB Pokal success in the club's history as well as the 2023/24 domestic double!
The "Coming Home" festival at the BayArena provides the crowning finale to this extraordinary 2023/24 season. The Werkself squad will arrive at Cologne/Bonn Airport around 13:30 CEST on Sunday 26 May. They will then travel in the team bus to Morsbroich Castle to sign the city of Leverkusen's Golden Book. From there, the team will travel to the BayArena in a parade of open-top vehicles. The main event then takes place, of course, at the BayArena. Gates open at 12:30, and from 13:30 fans can expect a stage programme with various highlights. Until the Werkself arrive at the BayArena in the late afternoon, fans at the stadium can enjoy the performances and also follow the team's route on the big screens. There's more information on the parade route, the acts and other points HERE.
Match stats:
Kaiserslautern: Krahl - Zimmer (Touré 90'+3), Tomiak, Elvedi, Puchacz - Kaloc, Raschl (Klement 83') - Zolisnki (Tachie 74'), Ritter, Redondo (Opoku 83') - Hanslik (Ache 46')
Bayer 04: Hradecky - Kossounou, Tah, Tapsoba - Frimpong, (Tella 90'+4), Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo (Hincapie 85') - Hofmann (Adli 46'), Wirtz (Hlozek 90'+4) - Schick (Stanisic 46')
Goals: 0-1 Xhaka (16')
Yellow cards: Elvedi
Red cards: Kossounou
Referee: Bastian Dankert (Rostock)
Attendance: 74,322 at Berlin's Olympiastadion
Bayer 04 are riding a wave of success on the European stage: After three wins from their first three games and as the only team yet to concede a goal, the Werkself sit second in the table in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League. With another three points in their first-ever competitive match against Olympique Marseille on Thursday night, 5 November (kick-off: 21:00 CET), Bayer 04 could leap to the top of the table. Meanwhile, the French side are riding the wave of a winning streak in Ligue 1, but are yet to pick up any points in the Europa League. For one Werkself player, Thursday night will mark a reunion with his former team-mates. Today’s matchday news.
Show more
The Europa League campaign continues: Bayer 04 host Olympique Marseille at the BayArena on matchday four of the group stage on Thursday 5 November (kick-off: 21:00 CET). Ahead of the clash against the club from the French Mediterranean coast, head coach Carles Martínez spoke about the visitors’ form and had some good news regarding the squad. Former OM player Facundo Medina spoke, amongst other things, about the factors that will be crucial against his old club.
Show more
The Bayer 04 Round of 16 tie in the 2026/27 DFB Pokal has been scheduled. The Werkself will host Bundesliga rivals RB Leipzig on Wednesday, 2 December, at 18:00 CET. That was announced by the German Football Association (DFB).
Show more
Video game developer Electronic Arts (EA), in collaboration with the Bundesliga, has announced the six nominees for the Bundesliga Player of the Month award for October 2026 – and Bayer 04’s Ibrahim Maza is among them. Fans of the Black and Reds can vote from now until Sunday 8 November (23:59 CET).
Show more
