Fun Facts
That Leverkusen carry a title allergy is well
That Leverkusen carry a title allergy is well known.
known. Less well known are these details.
“Herbert did it!” Herbert Waas was the first
“Herbert did it!” Herbert Waas was the first German international fielded by Bayer 04 Leverkusen....
German international fielded by Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
Leverkusen can be champions after all — just
Leverkusen can be champions after all — just not in the Bundesliga up to 2019/20.
not in the Bundesliga up to 2019/20. They did, however, top other competitions and age-group tables often enough to tease their own curse.
Two world champions on the bench: the chaotic
Two world champions on the bench: the chaotic 2000/01 season brought Bayer the rare pleasure of having two world champions as coaches in close success...
2000/01 season brought Bayer the rare pleasure of having two world champions as coaches in close succession.
Leaders among the non-champions: the nickname Vizekusen is
Leaders among the non-champions: the nickname Vizekusen is backed up by statistics.
backed up by statistics. Leverkusen had already spent 70 matchdays top of the Bundesliga by the end of 2019 without ever securing the title.
Bayer first topped the Bundesliga table on matchday
Bayer first topped the Bundesliga table on matchday three of the 1986/87 season.
three of the 1986/87 season. That same season they were the only side to beat champions Bayern Munich.
The Bayern frightener: Ulf Kirsten scored 11 times
The Bayern frightener: Ulf Kirsten scored 11 times in 20 Bundesliga matches against Bayern.
in 20 Bundesliga matches against Bayern. Only three players in the league’s history have scored more against Munich.
The horror year: 2002/03 was a nervous season
The horror year: 2002/03 was a nervous season of the kind Calmund said he would not wish on his worst enemy.
of the kind Calmund said he would not wish on his worst enemy. Only on the final day did the club secure survival.
Relegation: finishing 16th in 1981/82 meant not only
Relegation: finishing 16th in 1981/82 meant not only the lowest placing for Bayer in the top flight but also a relegation play-off....
the lowest placing for Bayer in the top flight but also a relegation play-off.
Red-card record: no Bundesliga player had been sent
Red-card record: no Bundesliga player had been sent off more often by December 2019 than Bayer’s Jens Nowotny....
off more often by December 2019 than Bayer’s Jens Nowotny.
All runners-up, or what? 2002 will forever remain
All runners-up, or what?
the year of the vice-treble: league runners-up, cup runners-up, Champions League runners-up. Several German internationals in the squad later became vice-world champions too.
The Hertha kid becomes a Bayer lion: in
The Hertha kid becomes a Bayer lion: in 1993 Bayer won the cup against the Hertha amateurs.
1993 Bayer won the cup against the Hertha amateurs. Some of those supposedly insignificant opponents later had notable careers of their own.
The goalscorers: record marksman Ulf Kirsten, with 181
The goalscorers: record marksman Ulf Kirsten, with 181 goals, was top Bundesliga scorer three times.
goals, was top Bundesliga scorer three times. Before him only Johannes Löhr had won the cannon as a Leverkusen-related striker, and after him others followed in shorter bursts.
Bernd Schneider, in Leverkusen from 1999 to 2009,
Bernd Schneider, in Leverkusen from 1999 to 2009, made 271 appearances and scored 36 goals.
made 271 appearances and scored 36 goals. Because of his style and elegance he became known as the white Brazilian.
B04 — Financial Stability Score
Double-Saison und Wirtz-Transfer haben die Bilanz auf den stärksten Stand der Clubgeschichte gebracht. Aber: Das Geschäftsmodell steht und fällt mit Bayer AG. Wenn der Konzern — in der tiefsten Krise seit Bestehen — das Fußball-Engagement hinterfragt, hat Leverkusen keine alternative Erlösbasis. Die Bilanz zeigt einen Top-4-Club; die Konzernabhängigkeit zeigt eine Werkself.
Fun Facts — Update 2020–2026
Between 2022 and 2024, Bayer 04 Leverkusen won more trophies — the championship shield, the DFB Cup and the Supercup — than in the previous 40 years c...
Between 2022 and 2024, Bayer 04 Leverkusen won
Between 2022 and 2024, Bayer 04 Leverkusen won more trophies — the championship shield, the DFB Cup and the Supercup — than in the previous 40 years c...
more trophies — the championship shield, the DFB Cup and the Supercup — than in the previous 40 years combined.
Florian Wirtz holds multiple records: youngest Bundesliga go...
Florian Wirtz holds multiple records: youngest Bundesliga goalscorer, one of the youngest Germany internationals, and one of the youngest scorers in a...
Florian Wirtz holds multiple records: youngest Bundesliga goalscorer, one of the youngest Germany internationals, and one of the youngest scorers in a DFB Cup final.
Words of Wisdom — Update
Words of Wisdom — Update...
“We are Bayer Leverkusen, not Bayern Leverkusen.” —
“We are Bayer Leverkusen, not Bayern Leverkusen.” — Xabi Alonso, when asked whether he might move to Munich....
Xabi Alonso, when asked whether he might move to Munich.
“It feels as if a burden of 120
“It feels as if a burden of 120 years has fallen away.” — Rudi Voller on the end of the title allergy....
years has fallen away.” — Rudi Voller on the end of the title allergy.