Bayer Leverkusen has been regularly playing in European competitions, either the top flight or the second tier, Europa League, since the older version, UEFA Cup. Their European campaign has been quite stable with one title on hand, despite the fact that they were just promoted to Bundesliga in 1979. The European fixtures in BayArena with 30,810 fans in it are always worth waiting with its exciting atmosphere in it.
Leverkusen have had quite long history in the continental second division with quite respectable results for one of the Bundesliga elites. Their stars who made great contribution for the club in Europa League such as Tita, the former South Korean international Cha Bum Kun, Falko Gotz, Christian Schreier, Ulf Kirsten, Paulo Sergio, Rudi Voeller, Claudio Reyna and Ioan Lupescu have been well-known among their fans, with some of them were even international stars. However, there is only one noteworthy manager in Bayer Leverkusen’s stunning results in Europa League. He is none but Erick Ribbeck, the former Germany boss in EURO 2000.
Top Achievements in the competition
Bayer Leverkusen managed to clinch one title in Europa League. It was in 1987/88 season in a dramatic final against Espanyol. They were smashed 0-3 on the road but could revenge their loss perfectly by the same score 3-0. The match went on and was decided through penalties. Erick Ribbeck eventually edged out the Spanish side 3-1.
Their next best result in the competition was in 1994/95 season. Once again Erick Ribbeck was at the helm of the club and led them to semi final after eliminating Nantes at the quarter final. Unfortunately, their campaign came to a halt after losing the tie versus Parma, the eventual champions. That was the last time Leverkusen could reach the last four. Since then, their campaign could not endure further than quarter finals on four occasions, in 1997/98, 2006/07, 2007/08 and 2019/20 although they surprisingly did manage to advance to the 2002 Champions League final.
Iconic Moments For Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen have had a few iconic moments. The best one was definitely the second leg of 1988 final against Espanyol. After being beaten 0-3 in Barcelona, Leverkusen knew they faced the hardest task, overturning their disadvantage. Apparently, Cha Bum-Kun and Co responded well to the challenge. Tita opened the scoring, followed by Falko Gotz before the South Korean forward scored one nine minutes before the final whistle. Such boosted their confidence and helped them lift the trophy only a year after their debut. It was also a memorable journey to the final for Erick Ribbeck’s men as they previously eased past Barcelona at the quarter final with the unforgettable 1-0 win on the road through a single goal of Brasilian Tita.
Meanwhile, their least memorable game in the competition was surely the 1995 semi final. Unlike their glorious season in 1988, Ulf Kirsten and Co were unable to even level Parma’s form, in a home or away fixture. Led by Gianfranco Zola, Swedish star Tomas Brolin and Colombian international Faustino Asprilia, Parma dismantled Erick Ribbeck’s side 5-1 on aggregate.
