Destination: Round of 16 – Bayer 04 Cruises Through

There we go! Bayer 04 is in the Champions League Round of 16 – and without the nerve-wracking detour of the play-offs. A confident 2-0 win over Sparta Prague was enough to secure sixth place in the league phase, granting a direct ticket to the knockout stage. And as a little cherry on top: Bayer 04 is the only German team to pull this off. Bayern? Dortmund? All still stuck in play-off purgatory. But us? We sit back, sip our well-earned UCL espresso, and casually wait for the draw.

The match itself? A controlled, professional performance – the kind that makes you feel at ease as a fan. Xabi Alonso shuffled his lineup, with Matej Kovar getting the nod in goal. A sentimental choice, given his Sparta Prague past? Maybe. But more than anything, it was proof of the squad’s depth and trust in every player. And that trust paid off quickly. Shots from Xhaka, Tah, and Schick within the opening minutes made it clear that Sparta was in for a long night. It was one of those games where you knew Bayer would score – it was only a matter of time.

And, of course, Florian Wirtz delivered. After 32 minutes, our midfield magician calmly slotted the ball into the net following a slick assist from Jeremie Frimpong, the Bundesliga’s fastest delivery service. Sparta, already struggling to hold on, now had an even bigger mountain to climb. And when Nathan Tella pounced on a rebound in the 64th minute to make it 2-0, the visitors were essentially out of options. Bayer, meanwhile, controlled the game with the confidence of a team that knows exactly how good it is.

So, the Round of 16 awaits – no unnecessary extra games, no stress. While Dortmund and Bayern nervously prepare for their play-offs, Xabi Alonso and his team can focus on refining their game. And let’s be honest: Europe should be getting nervous. This Werkself isn’t just here to participate – they’re here to make a statement. See you in the knockouts, with Wirtz magic, Frimpong pace, and a team ready to take on the best.

Bayer 04 Scores... Just in the Wrong Net

 There are days when you ask yourself: “Why do I even do this?” Why do I cram myself into a fan bus that smells like a mix of sweat and hope, travel across half the country to support my team, even though deep down I know football fate has a cruel surprise waiting for me? The trip to Leipzig was exactly one of those days. Up 2-0, Leipzig barely in the game – and then, out of nowhere, our own guy trips over the ball and buries it in the wrong net. Football, you’re a cruel, cruel game.

The match started with a whisper of “Maybe, just maybe, this is our day.” Patrik Schick – who’s spent so much time injured that we’d almost forgotten what his goal celebration looks like – reminded everyone what he does best: score. Sure, the ball came back to him via a bit of chaos, but who cares how it happens when you’re ahead? And then there’s Florian Wirtz, our young wizard, casting his spells again, leaving Leipzig’s defenders looking like extras in a bad dance movie. His dribble before the opener was nothing short of art – a fluid, elegant masterpiece designed for one purpose: humiliating Leipzig’s defense. Moments later, Wirtz set up Aleix Garcia for the second goal. Garcia? The guy from Girona who many thought was just here to pad the squad? Well, guess what? He’s got goals in him. 2-0 for Bayer, and everything looked as comfortable as an afternoon stroll in the Red Bull Arena.

But we Bayer fans know: celebrating too early is a rookie mistake. Leipzig pulled one back before halftime with a deflected free kick. David Raum, who was sort of the anti-Wirtz on the day – less flair, more grind – brought his team back into it. Halftime arrived, and I was still cautiously optimistic. “We’ve got this,” I muttered to myself. Mistake number one.

The second half was like watching a horror film you’ve seen too many times. Leipzig attacked, shot, and kept coming, but Lukas Hradecky, our Finnish wall, was there to stop it all. Meanwhile, Wirtz seemed to be conducting his own personal challenge: how many times can you hit the post in one game? Twice, as it turned out. On the other side, David Raum was clearing everything we threw at Leipzig’s goal – ironically better than most of Leipzig’s actual defenders.

And then came the 85th minute. A Leipzig free kick. Xavi Simons swings it in, and Edmond Tapsoba – normally the picture of composure in our backline – completes the nightmare. With a header so perfectly executed it could be used in training videos, he plants the ball right into our own net. Own goals are like heartbreak: they hit you hard, there’s nothing you can do to stop them, and they leave you feeling hollow. The worst part? Leipzig deserved it. They had pressed, pushed, and eventually forced fate’s hand.

So, what do we take from this afternoon in Saxony? A point. Just a single, miserable point. Bayern pulls six points ahead in the title race, and the championship dreams we all secretly harbored slip further out of reach. But let’s be real – is this surprising?

How to Shoot Yourself in the Foot—and Still Look Good Doing It

Oh, Bayer 04, how do we always manage to turn a dream evening into a nightmare? You play a first half so dominant that even Diego Simeone briefly sits down—a rare natural phenomenon that probably deserves its own chapter in the Champions League history books. But no, we had to get in our own way again. Because why make it easy and control a game for 90 minutes? Instead, we lose our heads, the lead, and ultimately the match. Welcome to the life of a Bayer fan.

It all started so promisingly, though. In the first 45 minutes, we moved Atletico Madrid around the pitch like chess pieces in a game masterminded by Xabi Alonso himself. Confident on the ball, inventive in attack, and unusually composed—especially in a fortress like the Metropolitano. And then came that moment: Mukiele’s cross, Hincapie’s header—1-0 to the Werkself in first-half stoppage time. A goal as deserved as an after-work beer on a Friday. Piero Hincapie, our man for the big moments, scoring his first-ever Champions League goal. And of course, it had to come in a match like this.

But then, as so often happens, the infamous "Bayer thing" crept in. Call it naivety, call it youthful recklessness—or, as Jonathan Tah put it, a lack of maturity. Instead of putting Atletico to the sword with our numerical advantage, we invited them back into the game. “Come on in, grab a coffee, make yourselves comfortable,” was basically the message. And Atletico, being Atletico, didn’t need a second invitation. Julian Alvarez thanked us by scoring twice and giving us a crash course on how to throw away a Champions League lead.

Sure, you could say, “It was a lesson in emotional management.” We got the memo. But seriously, how many lessons do we need before we graduate with honors in cool-headedness? You can have 70% possession, better passing accuracy, and an opponent playing an hour with ten men—none of it matters if you concede the winning goal in the 90th minute.

At least there’s some dark humor to be found here, if you can stomach it. The Metropolitano isn’t just a stadium; it’s a fortress. One with 70,460 roaring fans, creating the kind of atmosphere that could make even a seasoned referee second-guess every decision. To win here, you need more than skill—you need nerves of steel. And once again, that’s where we fell short.

Still, there were positives. Piero Hincapie not only scored his first Champions League goal but also showed he can be a game-changer—when he’s not being sent off, that is. Nordi Mukiele, who set up the goal, was a key player until his substitution. And Granit Xhaka? A rock in midfield as always.

So now we dust ourselves off and move on. Leipzig awaits this weekend, and honestly, I don’t know whether to look forward to it or dread it. But that’s football, isn’t it? This constant rollercoaster of hope and heartbreak. It would almost be boring if Bayer 04 suddenly discovered the art of winning with ruthless efficiency.

Eleven Wins and Counting: Leverkusen’s Streak – Smashing Through Walls with Wirtz

These days, Bayer fans are rubbing their eyes in disbelief—not from fatigue, but from sheer astonishment. Eleven consecutive victories, a brilliant 3-1 win over Mönchengladbach, and a team that feels like it’s been forged from pure gold. Honestly, it’s hard not to get carried away with excitement. And who could blame us for it? After all, streaks like this don’t come around every year. Or, well, almost never.

The game against Gladbach was yet another of those matches where you watch Florian Wirtz and wonder if he showed up to training one day, looked at the Bundesliga, and decided, “Yeah, this is my personal playground now.” The kid plays football like he’s activated a cheat code—two goals, one assist, and so much joy on the pitch you’d almost forget he’s just 21. That connection with Patrik Schick? It’s like a perfectly tuned engine: Wirtz serves up passes like a Michelin-starred chef, and Schick finishes like there’s no tomorrow. Twelve Bundesliga goals for the Czech striker already—and we’re nowhere near done with the season.

But hang on, before we get too lost in the Wirtz show: this wasn’t a walk in the park. Xabi Alonso, our calm and collected maestro on the touchline, summed it up perfectly—it was a “tough game.” Gladbach defended well, made life difficult for the Werkself, and refused to let Bayer’s possession game become an easy ticket to victory. But, in the end, quality breaks down every wall, and Leverkusen showed exactly why they’re cruising through this season with the momentum of a bullet train. Even the late consolation goal by Gladbach couldn’t dampen the mood in the BayArena. This was one of those matches that leave you humming “Einmal Bayer, immer Bayer” on the way home.

We also need to take a moment to appreciate what Xabi Alonso has built with this team. Six changes to the starting lineup? No problem. Injury setbacks? Doesn’t matter. Whoever steps onto the pitch, the team stays focused, flexible, and brutally effective. It was a joy to watch how even an early blow—like Martin Terrier’s injury (get well soon!)—didn’t disrupt the rhythm. Instead, Hincapié comes in, delivers a brilliant pass to Wirtz, and the rest, as they say, is history.

And now? Now it’s Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. A fiery battle awaits in Spain before a big Bundesliga clash in Leipzig over the weekend. But honestly, who’s going to stop this Werkself right now? Sure, there’s always that lingering nervousness in the heart of a Leverkusen fan—because, let’s face it, nightmares of missed titles haunt us all. But these victories, this dominance, this flair—it’s what reminds us why we hope, suffer, and dream season after season.

So, dear Bayer family: enjoy this streak, celebrate the brilliance of Wirtz, Schick, and the rest of the squad, and let’s keep dreaming. Because if this team shows us anything, it’s that this year might actually be the year. And even if it isn’t, at least we can say the ride has been one hell of a joyride. Here’s to the Werkself—now, off to Madrid!

Grimaldo, Patience, and Magic: How Bayer 04 Kicked Off the Year in Style at the BayArena

Sometimes you wonder whether Alejandro Grimaldo trains his free kicks, or if the ball simply obeys out of sheer respect for his foot. What the Spaniard pulled off in the 1-0 win against Mainz 05 from 18 meters out on the right was nothing short of a masterpiece. A perfectly struck ball, curled into the top corner, straight into our fan hearts. With that, Bayer 04 Leverkusen closed out the first half of the season in style, continuing their incredible run of form. Ten competitive wins in a row. Ten! It might be time to ask Xabi Alonso how he manages to blend patience, tactics, and wizardry so seamlessly.

But let’s break it down: the match itself wasn’t a spectacle, at least not on paper. Mainz came out boldly, but ultimately, they were suffocated by Bayer’s overwhelming dominance. Without Jonathan Tah (out sick) and with Granit Xhaka wearing the captain’s armband for the first time, Leverkusen set the tone from the start. Still, it felt like a chess match, where Mainz tried to delay Bayer’s moves but always remained one step behind. If goals were chess moves, Bayer should’ve had checkmate by halftime. Instead, they needed one moment of brilliance—and that moment was Grimaldo’s free kick.

Mainz’s game plan was clear: disrupt Bayer’s rhythm with constant fouls. It worked, to an extent. Stefan Bell managed a shot, and goalkeeper Robin Zentner had more to do than he probably anticipated. But let’s be honest: it was only a matter of time before Leverkusen rewarded themselves for their dominance. Then came the 48th minute. A moment that left the packed BayArena collectively holding its breath. Grimaldo, this artist in the black and red shirt, showed us all how to take a free kick—not just shoot it, but craft it, stage it, make it unforgettable. A dream goal worth more than three points—it was a statement.

Of course, it would have been typical Bayer to double or triple the lead to put the game to bed. They had the chances: Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong both gave us glimpses of what could have been. But this time, the Werkself chose the pragmatic route: solid at the back, minimalist up front. And honestly, there’s nothing wrong with a clean, professional 1-0 win, as long as the three points are in the bag. Special mention goes to Matej Kovar, the man in goal, who made his case for a starting spot with a series of impressive saves. A quiet but confident debut.

It wasn’t just Grimaldo who had reason to celebrate. Granit Xhaka, in his 50th Bundesliga appearance for Bayer, led the team to victory as captain. And Piero Hincapie, not to be outdone, reached 100 appearances for the Werkself—a milestone that speaks volumes at his age. These milestones, along with the win, perfectly capture the current mood around the club: buoyant and confident.

With this victory, Bayer keeps chasing Bayern at the top of the table. And with the next home match against Borussia Mönchengladbach looming, the excitement keeps building. The season is heating up, the fans are dreaming, and as the ball keeps rolling, one mantra seems to define this team: patience pays off. Grimaldo proved that in stunning fashion.

The title race? Let’s talk about that later. But one thing is clear: this Werkself isn’t just talented—they’re determined to push their limits. If they keep this up, we’ll have plenty more magical moments like Grimaldo’s to savor as the season unfolds.

Full Throttle from Second One – The Werkself Rockets into 2025

Well, who wanted a slow start to the new year? Bayer 04 certainly didn’t. While most of us were still sweeping away the remnants of New Year’s fireworks, Nathan Tella and Patrik Schick decided to put on their own pyrotechnic display at Signal Iduna Park. A 3-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund, who hadn’t lost at home this Bundesliga season, wasn’t just a good result on paper—it was the perfect statement to kick off the new year with swagger and confidence. But honestly, at this point, are we even surprised by this team anymore?

Let’s take a moment to appreciate the historical significance here: Borussia Dortmund, as fortress-like at home as grandma’s Sunday roast, hadn’t lost a Friday night game at home in nearly 21 years. And then came Bayer. The Werkself showed up, played their game, and did what they’ve been doing best for months now: executing their plan, outsmarting opponents, and doing it all with a level of confidence that’s almost scary. Nathan Tella wasted no time, scoring within 30 seconds, and Patrik Schick’s double before the 19th minute sealed Dortmund’s fate. It was clear early on—this wasn’t going to be Dortmund’s night.

Sure, the BVB defense was patched together like a makeshift quilt. But that’s not our problem. If Dortmund’s backline looked shaky, it’s only natural for Bayer to exploit it. This is top-level football—mistakes get punished. And when you’re up against a player like Patrik Schick, who’s currently in god-mode form, it’s going to rain goals.

What stood out the most, though, wasn’t just the individual brilliance, but the collective maturity of the Werkself. We’re talking about a team that only had 35% possession—and still controlled the game. How, you ask? Xabi Alonso explained it perfectly after the match: control without the ball. Pressing in the right areas, smart defensive organization, and a level of discipline that makes you sit back and admire. It wasn’t always flashy, but it was ruthlessly effective. Even the late penalty that gave Dortmund their second goal couldn’t shake Bayer’s composure. This wasn’t just a display of a title-winning mentality—it was a showcase of a team that’s ready to keep climbing.

And then there’s Schick, the Czech tornado. Six goals in his last 90 league minutes, 11 goals in total this season. The man is hotter than a New Year’s Eve fondue pot. But it’s not just Schick stealing the show. Frimpong, Tella, and others are stepping up game after game. This squad has reached a depth and versatility that’s frankly intimidating. Whoever is missing gets replaced—not just adequately, but seamlessly.

This victory is more than just three points. It’s a statement. It says: “We’re here, and we’re ready.” Ready for Bayern, who are currently just one point ahead. Ready for the rest of the league, who better start bracing themselves. And ready for a season that might bring even more excitement than the last one—if that’s even possible.

What’s next? Two home games against Mainz and Gladbach in quick succession. Two opportunities to extend this incredible winning streak and tighten the gap at the top of the table. The Werkself is ready—and as fans, we better be too. If this was just the opening act, 2025 is shaping up to be one hell of a ride.