We no longer know how to give up

In a game that felt like a rollercoaster ride, Bayer once again proved that giving up is a foreign concept to them. In faraway Baku against Qarabag Agdam, the Werkself's fate initially seemed sealed - trailing 2-0 at half-time, they were in danger of suffering their first competitive defeat in 34 games without defeat. But in a thrilling turning point, Xabi Alonso's side showed remarkable comeback quality and fought out a 2-2 draw.

The first half did not go according to plan for the Werkself. With eight fresh faces compared to the 2-0 derby win in Cologne, Bayer visibly struggled to get into the game. The hosts from Azerbaijan made the most of their chances: Benzia put Qarabag ahead in the 26th minute, followed by Juninho, who extended the lead to 2-0 shortly before half-time.

But as we all know, half-time in soccer is sometimes an eternity. With the substitution of Jeremie Frimpong, Granit Xhaka, Florian Wirtz and Patrik Schick, the Werkself managed to turn the tide. Florian Wirtz, known for his technical finesse, found the net with a flawless lob in the 70th minute, and Patrik Schick equalized with a skillful header in stoppage time. Proof that Leverkusen can keep a cool head even under pressure.

The post-match gesture by the Werkself players, who gave their shirts to the fans who had traveled with them, was particularly noteworthy. This was in recognition of the support and the effort the fans had put in to attend the furthest away game in the club's history.

Statistically, Bayer 04 Leverkusen remain unbeaten in the Europa League and have an impressive record. With this draw, the Werkself continue their run and are optimistic about the upcoming games, including the second leg against Qarabag in Leverkusen.

In the meantime, the focus turns to the Bundesliga, where a home game against VfL Wolfsburg awaits on Sunday. This will be followed by the decisive second leg of the Europa League, which will give Bayer 04 the opportunity to demonstrate their fighting spirit and ambitions once again.

Leverkusen have shown once again that they are not only a team with talent, but also with great morale. The Werkself earned not only a point in Azerbaijan, but also further respect and recognition in European soccer.

Derbys victories always feel good

In a derby that was more explosive than an average episode of "Game of Thrones", Bayer 04 impressively proved on matchday 24 of the Bundesliga that they are well on their way to stepping out of the shadow of the eternal runners-up. With a commanding 2:0 away win against 1. FC Köln, the Werkself kept their championship dreams alive and continued their impressive run of 34 unbeaten competitive matches. The goals from Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo were the cherries on Leverkusen's cake, while Cologne's Jan Thielmann will probably have to chalk it up to a sour apple after he was shown a red card in the 13th minute.

Even before kick-off, it was clear that head coach Xabi Alonso was taking the derby seriously. With three fresh faces in the starting eleven - Josip Stanisic, Piero Hincapie and Patrik Schick - he sent out a clear signal: this is a team that wants to win. And that's how Bayer 04 started the game. Cheered on by 5,000 fans, they dominated the action from the start, even if the final pass was a long time coming.

The sending off of Thielmann seemed to seal Cologne's fate early on, but the cathedral city side refused to give in and defended tooth and nail. Nevertheless, Leverkusen found ways to break through the Cologne defense and were rewarded with two beautifully executed goals.

While Cologne now have to focus on the relegation battle with a heavy heart, Bayer 04 can already chill the champagne. A ten-point lead over FC Bayern Munich with ten games to go - that smells a lot like a championship party, which is probably decades overdue in Leverkusen.

But before the corks pop, the first leg of the round of 16 in the UEFA Europa League against Qarabag Agdam awaits. A trip to Baku that Bayer 04 sees as the next step on the road to national and international honors. And who knows, maybe this victory in Cologne will be the spark that ignites a historic season.

Leverkusen are dreaming big, and after this derby win, even their wildest dreams suddenly seem within reach. But as the saying goes in soccer: the final score will be settled at the end. Until then, everyone at the BayArena is enjoying the view from the very top - with a broad grin and the firm belief that this dream could become reality.

Victory for the history books

Sometimes you don't have to dominate the game to make history. Bayer 04 proved that impressively on the 23rd Bundesliga matchday against Mainz 05. Not the best game, but happy to get three points - that's how you could summarize the game succinctly and accurately.

To be honest, the match was a rollercoaster ride of emotions. It was clear from the very first minute: this was not going to be a walk in the park. An early goal from Granit Xhaka gave us the lead in the 3rd minute and we all thought: "This is going to be our day!" But Mainz responded promptly and the mood in the BayArena changed.

The game was characterized by heated duels, a flood of yellow cards and a sending-off, which added spice to the match. A particular highlight was the second goal by Robert Andrich, a long-range shot that found its way into the net - more luck than sense, but who's counting the grains?

With this win, we now remain unbeaten in 33 competitive matches, a record in German professional soccer! It's not just a victory for the team, but a triumph for every single fan who puts their heart and soul into it.

Coach Xabi Alonso admitted: "It wasn't our best game." But he also emphasized the importance of the three points. The players agreed - it was a battle, but in the end the points count. Edmond Tapsoba put it in a nutshell: "We're like a family, everyone fights for everyone else."

And the media also agree: it wasn't a brilliant performance by our Werkself, but it was successful. Der kicker called it a "lackluster work victory", while the FAZ spoke of a "record with difficulty". The Rheinische Post and WAZ emphasized that Mainz demanded a lot from us.

Granit Xhaka celebrated his first competitive goal for Bayer 04, while Andrich scored his first Bundesliga goal of the season. It was Florian Wirtz's 100th Bundesliga match - another milestone in his young career. With nine yellow cards and one sending off, the game was anything but quiet. Now we turn our attention to the upcoming derby at 1. FC Köln. A new chapter awaits and we are ready to write it!

We may not have been brilliant, but we fought and won. On to the next game - we'll stick together, no matter what!

Unchecked triumph

With their latest 2:1 win against 1. FC Heidenheim 1846, the Werkself once again impressively demonstrated why they are considered the measure of all things in the Bundesliga. This performance is not just another victory in their impressive run, but a clear statement: Bayer 04 is a title contender, even without a previous championship.

The encounter against Heidenheim was more than a simple soccer match. It was a battle of strategies that showcased Bayer 04's dominance of the pitch and their ability to capitalize on decisive moments. Coach Xabi Alonso has molded a team that excels in top games as well as against stubborn opponents like Heidenheim. The praise from Robert Andrich and Granit Xhaka underlines the team's mental strength and patience to keep the upper hand even in difficult phases.

Jeremie Frimpong and Amine Adli proved to be key figures in this important game. Frimpong's decisive goal just before half-time and Adli's smooth ball control to make it 2-0 underline their crucial role in the game. Their performances are testament not only to their individual talent, but also to Alonso's ability to get the best out of his squad.

With their 32nd consecutive unbeaten competitive game, Bayer 04 have set an impressive record that underlines the quality and consistency of the team. The team has proven that it can perform under pressure and perform consistently, a sign of true mastery. The upcoming match against Mainz will be another test of their strength, and fans can look forward to seeing how the Werkself will perform under floodlights.

The impressive run, tactical maturity and quality of individual players makes the Werkself a serious contender for any opponent in the Bundesliga. While the championship is still a long way off, one thing is clear: Bayer 04 is well on the way to re-establishing itself as one of the most dominant forces in German soccer.

A brilliant performance from the Werkself in their triumph over Bayern

Matchday 21 of the Bundesliga will remain immortalized in the history books, especially for fans of the Werkself. The game against Bayern Munich was more than just a soccer match; it was a demonstration of tactics, team spirit and unwavering determination. Under head coach Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen showed an unprecedented level of performance.

As early as the 18th minute, it was clear that it was going to be an extraordinary evening. Josip Stanisic, who beat his regular team, Alejandro Grimaldo with a brilliant shot in the 50th minute and Jeremie Frimpong with a last-minute goal in stoppage time set the BayArena alight. These goals were not only highlights of the game, but also signs of a team that acted with confidence and precision.

Xabi Alonso's strategic changes compared to the previous game in the DFB Cup paid off. The tactical finesse and the decision to play players like Stanisic, Nathan Tella and Amine Adli from the start were key factors in this success.

The Werkself dominated the game with a mixture of physical defending and fast, effective counter-attacks. Leverkusen hardly gave Bayern any room to develop and took every opportunity to increase the pressure on the Munich defense. This dominance and Leverkusen's tactical maturity were particularly evident in the second half, when the team continued to dominate the game.

This victory is more than just a triumph over the record champions; it is a statement from Bayer 04 Leverkusen and a clear indication that they are ready to make history. Now unbeaten in 31 consecutive competitive matches, the Werkself are on the verge of setting a new Bundesliga record. This success underlines the remarkable style of play, incredible team spirit and tactical versatility that Xabi Alonso has brought to this team.

That's what makes a top team

Yesterday evening, the BayArena was the setting for a breathtaking football spectacle. The quarter-final match in the DFB Cup between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart offered everything a footballer's heart desires: excitement right up to the last minute, a rollercoaster of emotions and an ending that left us in ecstasy.

The match began with an early shock for the hosts when Waldemar Anton put VfB ahead in the 11th minute. However, the Werkself did not let this get them down and started an impressive comeback. Although they initially failed to create any major chances of their own, the team kept up the pressure.

After the break, Bayer showed their best side. Robert Andrich's fantastic long-range shot in the 49th minute had the fans cheering and brought the Werkself back into the game. Stuttgart countered with a goal from Chris Führich, but Leverkusen's reply was not long in coming. Amine Adli, who had just come on as a substitute, scored a deserved equaliser in the 67th minute.

Just as everyone was bracing themselves for extra time, the moment that will go down in Bayer 04's history books arrived: In the 90th minute, Jonathan Tah scored with his head to make it 3:2 and secure his team's place in the semi-finals. The BayArena was transformed into a sea of cheers and black and red colours as the captain created this unforgettable moment.

After the game, Xabi Alonso praised the opponents and emphasised that the victory was won with heart and soul. The players, especially Andrich and Adli, spoke of pride and the conviction that they deserved to leave the pitch as the better team.

The press celebrated the game as a "spectacle with announcement". The Rheinische Post and the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger praised the Werkself's performance, while the Süddeutsche Zeitung described Tah's late goal as "cries of joy into the night".

After this triumphant evening, the Werkself now turn their attention to the upcoming Bundesliga top match against Bayern Munich. With the tailwind from this emotional victory and the support of the vociferous fans in the BayArena, Bayer 04 will certainly approach this game with passion and determination.

Last night in the BayArena was an impressive testimony to the strength and unwavering will of Bayer 04, a game that will live long in the memory for both the players and the fans. With heart, soul and tireless fighting spirit, the Werkself proved that they are rightly in the top ranks of German football.

Darmstadt won't stop us either

As the saying goes: a commanding work victory! Even Darmstadt, who are bottom of the table, don't stop us and are no stumbling block for us. After initial problems with the courageous home side, the Werkself got into the game better and better as the match progressed. Nathan Tella ultimately proved to be the match-winner with his two goals in the 33rd and 52nd minutes. Winter newcomer Borja Iglesias made his debut for Bayer 04.

All in all, Leverkusen completed their away assignment at the Böllenfalltor with aplomb. Against an initially very defensive Darmstadt, who were by no means without a chance, Bayer combined to take the lead at the break, quickly added to it after the restart and remained untouchable thereafter.

The focus is now clearly on the next home game next Tuesday, when we host VfB Stuttgart in the cup quarter-finals. Stuttgart recently made a splash again with a commanding home win against Leipzig and today with a three-pointer in Freiburg, after a rather slow start in January. But the fact is that we are the favorites: We are playing at home and are unbeaten in all competitions this season, and we want to keep it that way. That's why we're clearly focusing on the game against Stuttgart and only then thinking about Bayern, who we host next Saturday.