Bayer Leverkusen Secure Europa League Spot, Set Sights on Champions League

Key facts

• Bayer 04 Leverkusen secured a 2-1 derby win over Cologne on matchday 31.
• The victory guarantees Leverkusen at least a UEFA Europa League spot for the 2026/27 season.
• Leverkusen host RB Leipzig on May 2 at 18:30 CEST at the BayArena.
• Ibrahim Maza is nominated for Bundesliga Rookie of the Season; voting closes May 7.
• Alejandro Grimaldo and Aleix Garcia were named bench players in the men's Bundesliga Team of the Season.
• Vanessa Fudalla was selected in the starting eleven of the women's Bundesliga Team of the Season.
• Leverkusen's main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer donated proceeds from a charity shirt sale to the Fondation Edmond Tapsoba.
• Edmond Tapsoba, Ibrahim Maza, and Christian Kofane supported the charity event.

Derby Win Secures European Football, Champions League Race Intensifies

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have guaranteed themselves a place in next season's UEFA Europa League after a 2-1 victory over Cologne in the Rhine derby on matchday 31. The win, played away from home, lifts the Werkself to a position where they cannot finish lower than fifth, ensuring European competition regardless of the final three league fixtures. But the club's ambitions stretch further. With Champions League qualification still within reach, Leverkusen face a decisive run-in against direct rivals. The team sits in fourth place, level on points with third-placed RB Leipzig, whom they host on Saturday, May 2 at the BayArena. A win would leapfrog Leipzig and strengthen their grip on a top-four finish.

Hjulmand Demands 'Fire, Focus and Intensity' Against In-Form Leipzig

Head coach Kasper Hjulmand has called for a high-intensity performance against RB Leipzig, who arrive in Leverkusen on a five-match winning streak in the Bundesliga. 'We need fire, focus and intensity to beat a team in such strong form,' Hjulmand said ahead of the top match. Leverkusen's previous encounter with Leipzig in December last year ended in a 3-1 comeback victory, with 18-year-old Montrell Culbreath scoring on his debut. The young forward will hope to repeat that feat, though Leipzig's confidence after five consecutive league wins presents a formidable challenge. The Nordkurve12 supporters group has again called for the 'Finally Red' campaign, urging fans to create a vociferous atmosphere at the BayArena.

Maza Nominated for Rookie of the Season, Fans Vote Open

Ibrahim Maza, the 19-year-old Bayer 04 attacking midfielder, has been nominated for the Bundesliga's 2025/26 Rookie of the Season award. He is one of three candidates, with fan voting open until 23:59 CEST on Thursday, May 7 via the official Bundesliga app. Maza has been a breakout performer this season, contributing goals and assists in Leverkusen's push for Champions League football. His nomination underscores the club's investment in young talent, a theme reinforced by the emergence of Culbreath and the involvement of Christian Kofane in community events.

Grimaldo and Garcia in Bundesliga Team of the Season, Fudalla Starts for Women

Electronic Arts (EA) and the German Football League (DFL) announced the Bundesliga Team of the Season for the 2025/26 campaign this week. Leverkusen's Alejandro Grimaldo and Aleix Garcia were named as bench players in the men's selection, while striker Vanessa Fudalla earned a starting spot in the women's team. Fudalla's inclusion highlights the strength of Leverkusen's women's side, which recently recorded a 4-0 victory over SGS Essen on matchday 24 of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga. The club's dual success across both genders reflects a broader institutional commitment to football excellence.

Charity Shirt Sale Draws Hundreds, Supports Tapsoba Foundation

As part of the 'BarmeniaGothaer gives joy' initiative, Leverkusen players Edmond Tapsoba, Ibrahim Maza, and Christian Kofane participated in a charity T-shirt sale at the Fanwelt on Thursday. Several hundred fans attended the event, which raised funds for the Fondation Edmond Tapsoba, an organization supporting communities in Tapsoba's home country of Burkina Faso. Main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer donated the proceeds, reinforcing the club's community engagement. The event also served as a final opportunity for fans to purchase the special shirts before the next home matchday.

Path to Champions League: Three Matches, Direct Rivals Remain

With three league fixtures left, Leverkusen's Champions League qualification hinges on results against direct rivals. After hosting Leipzig, the Werkself face Stuttgart and another top-four contender in the season's final stretch. A top-four finish guarantees a spot in Europe's premier competition. Should Leverkusen slip, they are already assured of Europa League football, a safety net that provides stability but not satisfaction. The club's recent history, including a first Bundesliga title in 2023-24, has raised expectations, and the current squad—blending experienced internationals like Grimaldo with emerging talents like Maza—is built to compete at the highest level.

Leverkusen's Transformation: From 'Neverkusen' to European Contender

Bayer 04 Leverkusen, founded in 1904 as a works team for pharmaceutical company Bayer AG, has long been a fixture in German football's elite. Yet for years, the club carried the nickname 'Neverkusen' after finishing as runners-up in the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Champions League in 2002. Prior to their historic 2023-24 title, their only major trophies were the 1988 UEFA Cup and the 1993 DFB-Pokal. Today, the club plays at the 30,210-capacity BayArena and has cultivated a unique identity—embraced by fans who proudly call themselves 'Pillendreher' (Tablet Twisters) in reference to the pharmaceutical roots. While some critics have labeled them a 'plastic club' due to corporate ownership, the supporters' passionate ultras culture and family-friendly image have forged a loyal following. The current season's run-in represents another step in Leverkusen's evolution from perennial nearly-men to consistent contenders.

The bottom line

• Leverkusen have secured at least a Europa League spot after a 2-1 derby win over Cologne.
• Champions League qualification remains the primary goal, with three league matches left including a crucial home game against RB Leipzig.
• Ibrahim Maza is a nominee for Bundesliga Rookie of the Season; fan voting closes May 7.
• Alejandro Grimaldo and Aleix Garcia were named to the Bundesliga Team of the Season bench; Vanessa Fudalla made the women's starting XI.
• A charity shirt sale featuring Tapsoba, Maza, and Kofane raised funds for the Fondation Edmond Tapsoba in Burkina Faso.
• Leverkusen's transformation from 'Neverkusen' to Bundesliga champions and European contenders reflects a sustained rise under current leadership.