Leverkusen are currently sitting in 10th place in the Bundesliga standings. That’s the simple answer. But as with any club with high expectations, that position comes with lots of context — the good, the bad, and the questions for the rest of this season. In this article, KottuGoal will guide you through how Bayer 04 Leverkusen got here, what’s working, what’s not, and whether they can climb back up.
How Leverkusen’s season has gone so far
Since the start of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season, Leverkusen have looked like a team in transition. They’re just past the early stretch of matches and already showing signs that last season’s form hasn’t carried over — despite the pedigree of their squad and recent successes.
Some of the key events so far:
- They finished 2nd in the Bundesliga last season, pushing Bayern hard but ultimately unable to retain the title.
- This offseason saw boiling changes: their star player Florian Wirtz left for Liverpool in a massive deal — which affected both morale and creative output.wikipedia.org)
- They also had a managerial shuffle: Erik ten Hag was installed as head coach, then sacked after a handful of games. Kasper Hjulmand took over in earlyber.
So while expectations remain high, the reality has been more uneven. Injuries, departures, and changing tactics have all played a part.
Where exactly are Leverkusen in the table
Here are the nuts and bolts of their current standing, to give you perspective:
- Position: 10th in the Bundesliga.
- Recent form: Mixed — some wins, some draws, some losses. They’ve yet to find consistency.
- Scoring & defense: Scoring has been decent in patches, but defensive lapses and disrupted momentum have cost them points. Key players are shouldering pressure.
In short: mid-table feels too low for Leverkusen’s ambitions, but they’re not in disaster territory yet.
What’s gone wrong / What’s going right
To understand why Leverkusen are where they are, we need to dig into the upsides and the challenges.
What’s going right
- Strong leadership under Hjulmand: Since his arrival, there have been signs of tactical reshaping. Some sharp performances show his influence.
- Moments of offensive spark: Players like Patrik Schick have shown flashes of brilliance. On good days, they can dominate possession and create chances.
What’s going wrong
- Departures matter: Losing Wirtz isn’t just losing a goalscorer; it’s losing a link in possession, creativity, and morale. That hole hasn’t been fully plugged.
- Managerial instability: Changing coach so quickly adds disruption — confidence, training routines, playing style all take time to settle.
- Defensive inconsistency: Errors, lapses, or mismatches at the back have cost solid chances to pick up points.
What this means for their season ambitions
Leverkusen still want to push for European qualification — Champions League spots, ideally. Sitting 10th means they are currently outside that, but there’s room to climb.
They’ll need to address:
- Consistency: Beating weaker sides and avoiding draws where they’ve dominated but shipped late goals.
- Squad depth and fitness: Ensuring injuries don’t derail momentum; supporting newer or younger players to step up.
- Tactical clarity: Under Hjulmand, finding a style that suits both their attacking talent and tight defensive moments.
If they can string together a decent run — think five or six matches with wins and few defensive mistakes — they could push into the top 6 at least.
Leverkusen vs. rivals: How they stack up
Comparison helps understand what Leverkusen need to match up with other top Bundesliga clubs:
- Teams above Leverkusen are showing stronger defensive records and more consistent attacking output.
- Bayer’s goal differential and win-loss balance lag behind teams in the European spots.
- Some rivals had fewer changes in key areas (management, big player departures), which gives them stability Leverkusen currently lack.
Prediction: Can they climb back?
Yes — but it depends heavily on momentum more than anything. The rest of the season schedule, handling of injuries, and mental strength will all matter. If Leverkusen can build a short unbeaten run, they could be pushing again.
But if instability continues, they might settle into mid-table mediocrity — quite a falloff for a club used to challenging at the top.
Conclusion
Where are Leverkusen in the Bundesliga? As of now, they’re 10th, caught in the storm of transition. They’ve lost a few pieces, shuffled their leadership, and are working to find their identity for 2025/26. But they’re Leverkusen — talent, history, ambition all still there.
If you’re a fan or follower, keep watching: how they respond in the next 5–8 matches could define whether this season becomes a comeback story or a hard lesson. Stay with KottuGoal for updates on match reviews, player stats, and whether Leverkusen can make their climb back to the top.
