Cup Chaos and Cardiac Football: Bayer's Midnight Madness in Paderborn

Just when you think you’ve seen it all in football, Bayer 04 shows up and whispers, “Hold my Kölsch.” That DFB-Pokal night in Paderborn had everything your football-addicted heart could ask for: tension, despair, euphoria.

Yes, we dominated possession. Yes, we passed the ball like we invented tiki-taka. And yes, somehow we still found ourselves 2:1 down in extra time — against a second-division side that played nearly half the match with ten men. Classic Pokal. Classic Bayer. Classic heartbreak incoming? Not quite.

Because this is the new Bayer 04. The Bayer that doesn’t fold, but finds extra fuel in the tank just when the warning light’s been blinking for an hour. Quansah pulled us back from the brink with a last-gasp equalizer before half-time of extra time — and then, right at the death, Ibrahim Maza decided to write his own fairy tale. 120+2, debut goal, limbs in the away end, and another chapter for the cult of "Last-Minute Leverkusen."

Let’s not kid ourselves though: it wasn’t pretty. Hjulmand’s press conference wasn’t full of high-fives and self-congratulations. Our pressing was off, our passing overly hopeful, and our game management… well, let’s just say we’ve seen sharper tools in the shed. But when you survive nights like this — mentally, physically, spiritually — you take the win, wrap it in bubble wrap, and pray it carries you through Munich and Lisbon.

And Maza? Remember the name. The kid’s been knocking for weeks, and now he’s kicked the door down. Maybe not ready to start every match yet — but definitely ready to turn one on its head in extra time.

So we move on. To Bayern, to Benfica, to wherever this wild ride takes us next. And if it ends with another last-minute winner? We’ll scream, we’ll suffer, and we’ll love every second of it. Because this is Bayer 04. And we don't do boring.

Two Goals, Zero Conceded, Full Confidence

What do you do after a Champions League defeat in Paris? Exactly: you give Freiburg a footballing headache. The Werkself bounced back on Sunday with a confidence you'd normally expect from a couple waltzing into the “Let’s Dance” final. A cool 2-0 against SC Freiburg, fourth league win in a row – and barely a drop of sweat on the forehead. Honestly, this wasn’t just a Bundesliga match. This was a statement. We’re back. As if Paris never happened.

Sure, Flekken had to save us twice early on – against his former club, no less – but once those nervous opening minutes were out of the way, Bayer did what Bayer does best: dominate possession, drain the opponent’s energy, strike clinically. One quick one-two between Garcia and Poku – bang, 1-0. One Grimaldo cross right on Tapsoba’s head – boom, 2-0. When goals look that easy, you know the team is in a groove.

Speaking of grooves – Ernest Poku is currently writing his own little football fairytale. Three goals in four games, and it’s not just the numbers – it’s the speed, the movement, the finishing touch. He’s becoming an integral part of this attack before our eyes. And Garcia? The guy must have a compass built into his boot. He’s pinging passes around that would make Google Maps jealous.

Garcia has become the heartbeat of this team. Tempo, vision, intelligence – he’s basically burned our entire possession playbook onto a CD and put it on loop. And when Tapsoba runs straight to assistant coach Meijer after scoring, it shows you something else: the vibe in this team is real. It’s not just about playing well – it’s about working hard for each other, too.

And Freiburg? Let’s be honest: they were never really in it. Sure, a bit of early pressure, but after the first goal, they were chasing shadows. Even if they’d had an extra man, it wouldn’t have changed much – instead, they ended up a man down when Lienhart saw a second yellow for fouling Maza in the 74th minute. From then on, it was just about seeing the game out.

Oh, and speaking of comebacks: Patrik Schick is back. Four weeks out injured, now back on the pitch. Didn’t score yet, but just seeing his name on the team sheet again felt like a small victory. When he’s fully sharp again, the goals will come.

Bottom line: mature, composed, professional. Not flashy, but highly effective. And the timing? Couldn’t be better. Now it’s off to Paderborn for the cup, and then it’s Bayern away. But with this Bayer team? Anything’s possible. No, we’re not getting cocky. Just confident. And as fans, we’re allowed to enjoy that ride.

Paris Pulled the Plug

There are defeats that hurt, and then there’s a 2–7 against Paris Saint-Germain. One of those nights when, as a Bayer fan, you start wishing the referee would just skip stoppage time out of mercy. The scoreline looks brutal—and yes, it really was that bad. A night to forget, but also one that brutally exposes the gap between “on the right path” and “on their level” in European football.

Of course, PSG are a juggernaut. Title holders, stacked with players who were probably born with a football glued to their feet. But that doesn’t explain everything. Because after a promising start, a missed penalty and an equalizer, Bayer 04 didn’t just lose the lead—they lost the plot. Three goals conceded in six minutes: that’s not brilliance from the opponent anymore, that’s collective collapse. Moments like that simply can’t happen at this level, even a man down.

Coach Kasper Hjulmand talks about “development” and “building a team” – and he’s right. But development only works if you’re honest about where the cracks are. Defensively, Leverkusen were miles off the pace. Everything that looked solid in Mainz—compactness, balance, discipline—disappeared against Paris. Add a few frayed nerves, and you get a scoreline that looks like a typo but isn’t.

Andrich’s red card was unlucky, but it also summed up the night: late, rash, unnecessary. PSG punished every mistake with surgical precision. Every turnover was an open invitation to dance on our misery. Aleix Garcia’s two goals, including a stunner from distance, were a small silver lining, but they don’t change the overall truth: we weren’t competitive.

The fans, though, were magnificent. Loud, loyal, defiant. You could feel that they understood what this team is trying to become. But maybe, just maybe, we fans also need to start demanding more than the comfort of “long-term process” speeches. This squad has quality, no doubt. What it lacks—still—is maturity in big games. Being brave isn’t enough on the Champions League stage; you also have to be street-smart.

The good news? The season doesn’t stop here. Freiburg in the Bundesliga and Paderborn in the cup are coming up fast. Those matches are the perfect chance to prove that lessons have been learned, not just noted in the post-match press conference. But that requires finding the pride that seemed to vanish somewhere around the 40th minute against Paris.

A 2–7 loss can be filed away, sure. But it shouldn’t be shrugged off. Because if you really want to belong among Europe’s elite, you have to endure nights like this—and respond to them the right way. Painful as it is, maybe this was the kind of reality check every “project” needs once in a while.

So, let’s take the punch, fix the fuse, and move on. After all, we’re Bayer 04: sometimes tragic, always passionate, never boring.

Terrier, Goals & Total Chaos: Mainz Tried, But Bayer 04 Had Other Plans

Well, well, well – look who just can’t stop winning away from home! Anyone thinking Bayer 04 would calmly tiptoe through the post-Union Berlin schedule clearly hasn’t been watching this team lately. The 4:3 win in Mainz? More like a rollercoaster ride through the MEWA Arena, complete with goals, drama, records, and the kind of chaos that makes you question if your heart is even built for this club anymore. But hey – who said being a Bayer fan was supposed to be relaxing?

Let’s be honest: that wasn’t just a Bundesliga match, it was a 90-minute mixtape of everything that currently makes this team so damn fun to watch. We had early goals, silky-smooth build-ups, an emotional comeback goal from Martin Terrier (who's been out so long that some fans thought he was a myth), and yet another Grimaldo masterclass. Sprinkle in a few defensive wobbles for dramatic effect, and you’ve got yourself a true Werkself thriller.

Sure, conceding three goals sounds like a red flag, but let’s not pretend we weren’t in control most of the time. Mainz did their part – aggressive, scrappy, and annoyingly persistent – but when you’ve got a team like ours clicking the way we are right now, it’s like bringing a butter knife to a laser battle.

And speaking of laser-sharp – Martin Terrier. Back on the pitch after nine months, and what does he do? He bags a goal like he never left. The man stepped onto the grass, found the net, and went straight into a group hug that probably should’ve been rated PG-13 for emotional intensity. It wasn’t just a nice moment – it was the kind of feel-good football that makes you believe in comeback stories, in physiotherapists, and maybe even in destiny.

Also back in the mix: Jonas Hofmann, quietly and efficiently doing what he does best – being clever, calm, and criminally underrated. His link-up play with Grimaldo on the left? Chef’s kiss. And let’s not forget Christian Kofane, who’s scoring in every game like he’s on a mission to get his own statue outside the BayArena by Christmas. Three goals in three games, and he’s still younger than half the people in your FIFA Ultimate Team squad.

But hey, don’t let all the goal-scorers distract you from Robert Andrich, now the proud owner of a Bundesliga record: 38 consecutive away games without defeat. That’s not just consistency – that’s elite road warrior energy. If the Bundesliga handed out frequent flyer miles, Andrich could probably book the whole squad a trip to Bali.

And let’s take a moment for **Grimaldo**, our Spanish engine who’s currently playing like he’s allergic to bad performances. Two more goals, more running than a marathon runner with caffeine issues, and – fun fact – he’s already outscored his total from last season. Leadership? Check. Goals? Check. Defending? Also check. Basically, he’s doing everything except selling bratwurst at halftime.

So yes, it got nervy at the end. Yes, Mainz got a bit too close for comfort. But we walked away with the three points, extended our unbeaten away run to a mind-boggling **37** league games, and proved once again that this team is not here to mess around.

Now, PSG is next. Champions League, bright lights, big names. And honestly? Let them come. Because right now, Bayer 04 look like a team that doesn’t care who’s standing on the other side – they’ll just outplay, outpass, and outscore them anyway.

Of course, here at neverchampions, we don’t throw around the M-word lightly. We know better. We’ve seen too much. But if this continues, we might need to start preparing a “Just in Case” emergency celebration kit – complete with confetti, a therapist, and a list of humble responses for interviews.

For now, though, it’s one step at a time – next stop: PSG. Bring snacks, bring nerves, and maybe bring a spare heart monitor. Because if there’s one thing we know by now, it’s this: boring just isn’t Bayer’s style anymore.

No Wall Too Tall: Bayer Gently Evicts Union from the BayArena

Sometimes you sit down, switch on the match, and just hope for a relaxing evening of smooth Werkself football – ideally with a couple of nice goals, 74% possession, and an opponent who looks more like they’re on a guided tour of their own penalty area. And well… against Union Berlin, that’s exactly what we got. Not bad for a Saturday, right?

As a Leverkusen fan, you learn to be cautious. We’ve seen *things*. But what Kasper Hjulmand and his red-and-black ensemble are serving up week after week doesn’t just look structured and confident – it’s starting to feel like watching a well-oiled opera, with deep-baritone Tillman, maestro Garcia in the middle, and a surprise front duet from Poku and Kofane. Self-belief is growing, connections are clicking, and dare I say it – something *big* might be brewing here. And it’s not built on hype, but on hard work and a sprinkle of magic.

Let’s talk Poku – the guy clearly missed the memo that Bundesliga debutants are supposed to be nervous. Second game, second goal, same calmness. Just slots it in like he’s been doing this forever. And Kofane? That man’s hold-up play in the first half was pure furniture showroom – rock-solid. Then in the second half, he casually pickpockets Union keeper Rønnow like a Berlin pickpocket on tourist season. Cool, calm, clever. First Bundesliga goal? Check.

What’s *really* noticeable, though, is how different this team feels. Gone are the days of shaky one-goal leads and 80th-minute panic. This squad keeps playing. Keeps pressing. Keeps hunting. And they actually look like they *enjoy* it. Substitutions bring energy, not anxiety. Maza and Arthur come in and raise the tempo. Hofmann adds veteran calm. Even Belocian gets a few minutes after nearly 300 days out and helps close things down like he never left. That’s not just squad depth – that’s culture.

And speaking of culture: 153 completed passes from Aleix Garcia. Yes, that’s *one hundred and fifty-three*. He basically treated Union like a training drill. Add to that a 92% team pass accuracy, 74% possession, 20 shots to Union’s 10, and suddenly you realize: this wasn’t just a win. This was a gentle but firm domination. “No, thanks, Union – this half of the pitch is ours.”

Let’s not forget Jarell Quansah, either. 71 duels won in the league – second-best overall. He’s basically a walking “No Entry” sign at this point. Want to get past him? Bring a crowbar and a permission slip from the DFL.

And yes, losing Grimaldo and Vázquez at halftime wasn’t ideal. In past seasons, that would’ve sparked a collective “here we go again” feeling across the stands. But this time? It was more like, “Okay, Arthur and Maza are coming on. No problem.” That’s how stable this team has become. Injuries aren’t derailments – they’re just changes in tempo.

So yes, this might’ve been the most *complete* performance of the season so far. Not because it was flashy or dramatic – but because it was calm, ruthless, and professional. And that, as a fan, is the most comforting kind of football. Like a warm blanket. Or a three-point pillow.

Union? Still without a win in ten straight against us. Only one Bundesliga loss to them in total. And now we head into the international break with smiles on our faces, numbers on our side, and that quiet thought sneaking in: Could this really be our year? Too soon? Maybe. But hey – confidence is contagious. And this team has plenty to spare.

Draws, Drama and Dutch Delays – Bayer’s Love Affair with Almost Winning

Well, there we go again. Second Champions League match, second draw – Leverkusen 2025/26, still proudly defending its unofficial European title as “The Kings of Almost.” Against PSV Eindhoven, it was the kind of match that had all the ingredients for a perfect European night: floodlights, flair, excitement, woodwork rattling… and that familiar missing piece – the actual victory.

It all started with a small shock when eternal football nomad Ivan Perisic nodded the ball in after five minutes – thankfully from an offside position. After that, though, Bayer took control like a DJ grabbing the decks at a dull party. The Werkself played some sparkling stuff: Grimaldo smashed one against the crossbar, Poku danced past defenders as if he were late for a techno festival in Eindhoven, and Garcia launched a few missiles from distance that nearly needed an export license. Only thing missing? A goal.

Enter minute 65: Christian Kofane, just 19 years old and cooler than a refrigerator, pounced on a PSV blunder and calmly slotted home for the 1–0. The youngest Champions League scorer in Bayer’s history! For a few glorious moments, you could feel destiny smiling on the Werkself. Then, in minute 72, Ismael Saibari decided to ruin the mood and equalized – and just like that, Leverkusen fans around the world sighed in perfect synchronization.

To be fair, it was a good performance. Hjulmand’s team continues to play football that’s actually fun to watch – slick, structured, and creative. The only thing missing was that final bit of ruthlessness, the one the coach diplomatically called “the last bit of consequence.” It’s as if the team is writing beautiful novels but forgets to finish the last chapter.

Still, there’s plenty to love. The kids! Poku, Kofane, Tape – sounds like a new boyband from the Rhineland, and they’re playing with a joy that’s contagious. Tape had to go off injured, but until then he looked calm and confident. And Kofane? The boy finished like he’s been doing it for years, not like someone still figuring out his Spotify student discount.

So, 1–1 it is. A result that feels both okay and annoying at the same time – very Bayer, in other words. On the bright side, Leverkusen remain unbeaten in all eight games against Dutch sides. Not quite headline material, but hey, small wins are still wins.

Next up: Union Berlin. Less glamour, more grit. Maybe exactly the kind of match to turn all these lovely chances into actual goals. Because make no mistake – this team deserves more than two draws. Keep playing like this, add a pinch of killer instinct, and the wins will come.

Until then, we stay what we’ve always been: not champions, but definitely entertaining. And honestly, that’s kind of our thing, isn’t it?