Bayer Leverkusen secured a 2-1 victory over Newcastle United at St. James' Park on August 15, 2026, thanks to a late winner from Victor Boniface. The friendly, played just a week before the official season kickoff, highlighted the current shape of the club.
Midfielder Ibrahim Maza opened the scoring in the first minute with a left‑foot strike from outside the box, sending Bayer Leverkusen fans into celebration. Newcastle equalised in the 44th minute through German centre‑back Malick Thiaw. In the 82nd minute, Victor Boniface - returning after a long injury spell from Werder Bremen - seized the chance and netted the winning goal. Head coach Matthias Jaissle watched from the sidelines while new assistant Carlos Martínez led the training.
The win gives the squad a psychological boost, especially as they finished the 2025 season in 6th place with 59 points (17 wins, 8 draws, 9 losses). Their attack has already scored 68 goals while conceding 47, a +21 goal difference. Despite this solid record, they remain 30 points behind Bayern Munich in the title race. The recent form trend (DLWWL) shows mixed results, but the friendly could restore consistency.
Victor Boniface, back from a lengthy injury, instantly demonstrated his quality and may become a key figure this season. Alongside him, Nick Woltemade and Malick Thiaw have shown in training that they can stabilise midfield and defence. Young Ibrahim Maza, who scored the opening goal, is also under the microscope - his left‑foot strike could bring more goals in the league.
Next week Bayer Leverkusen begins their DFB‑Pokal campaign against third‑division side Wehen Wiesbaden. The next Bundesliga clash arrives on November 28, 2026, away at Borussia Dortmund, who currently sit in 2nd place. Both fixtures offer the chance to cement form and collect vital points in the race for European spots.
Live data: The club’s most recent result was a 1‑1 draw with Hamburger SV on May 16, 2026, and they remain unbeaten in their last two games (DD). These facts underline the importance of the friendly as preparation for the upcoming challenges.
