A much-needed three points arrived for Bayer Leverkusen this weekend, halting a concerning slide in form. The 1-0 victory over Werder Bremen was secured not through free-flowing football, but via grit, experience, and a decisive contribution from a seasoned campaigner.
The winning goal, a first-half strike from Lucas Vásquez, underscored a deliberate tactical shift. Manager Kasper Hjulmand fielded the oldest starting lineup of the club’s season, with an average age just shy of 29, leaning on proven professionals to navigate a difficult period. Vásquez, whose season has been disrupted by injury, rewarded that faith with his maiden goal for the club, demonstrating the value of his managed integration into the side.
The relief at the final whistle was palpable. The win ended a run of four defeats in six league matches, a sequence that had cast a shadow over the early weeks of 2026. While the performance itself was functional rather than inspiring, the result provided a vital platform. Hjulmand acknowledged the significance, stating the team’s experienced core was “very important” in securing the result against similarly struggling opponents.
The context of the broader Bundesliga weekend offered a secondary boost. Bayern Munich’s shock first league defeat of the campaign, at home to Augsburg, ensured Leverkusen’s status as the most recent “Invincibles” remains unique for another year.
Attention now turns swiftly to European competition, with a midweek Champions League clash against Villarreal presenting both an opportunity and a challenge. Qualification for the next phase is within reach, but recent domestic struggles serve as a reminder that nothing can be taken for granted. The immediate path forward appears to be one of cautious consolidation, relying on steady hands to steady the ship.
Elsewhere in the Bundesliga, the narrative focused on individuals. In Berlin, Nico Schlotterbeck scored in Borussia Dortmund’s comfortable win over Union, while using post-match comments to address—without clarifying—the ongoing speculation surrounding his long-term future at the club. In Stuttgart, striker Deniz Undav responded pointedly to recent criticism after finding the net in his side’s victory, making his feelings clear to detractors after celebrating his goal.