1988 UEFA Cup Final Run

Lore & Background

Founded in 1904 by employees of the paint factory, today better known as a pharmaceutical company Bayer, the club was formerly a department of TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen sports club. In 1999, the football department was separated from the sports club. Bayer Leverkusen's main colours are red and black, and their main rival is 1. FC Köln, while the fans have had a deep friendship with the supporters of Kickers Offenbach for almost 50 years.

Reader's Guide

Bayer Leverkusen were promoted to the Bundesliga in 1979 and won their maiden top-flight honor, the UEFA Cup, in 1988. The club won its first domestic honour, the DFB Pokal, in 1993. The club finished runners-up across three competitions in 2002, including the UEFA Champions League. After over 30 years without silverware, the club won their first Bundesliga title and their second DFB Pokal in 2024, becoming the first German team to win the league or domestic double unbeaten, while setting the European record for consecutive unbeaten competitive games (51).

Did You Know?

• The club won the 1988 UEFA Cup Final against Espanyol on penalties after a 3-3 aggregate draw, having lost the first leg 0-3 and won the second leg 3-0.
• Bayer Leverkusen's first domestic top-flight honor was the DFB-Pokal in 1993; their first major trophy overall was the 1988 UEFA Cup.