Bayer 04 Leverkusen Bounces Back

From Disastrous Season to Champions League Success

Advanced to the Round of 16 in a Tough Group

Bayer 04 Leverkusen bounced back from a nearly disastrous season by finishing in the top three and qualifying for the UEFA Champions League. The team had finished in 15th place in the Bundesliga the previous season, but under new manager Klaus Augenthaler, they turned their form around and finished in third place.

In the Champions League, Leverkusen was drawn into a tough group with Real Madrid, AS Roma, and Dynamo Kyiv. However, they managed to finish second in the group and advance to the Round of 16. In the Round of 16, they faced Liverpool and were knocked out 6-3 on aggregate.

Despite the disappointing end to their Champions League campaign, Leverkusen's season was still a success. They finished in the top three in the Bundesliga and qualified for the Champions League for the second season in a row. They also won the DFB-Pokal, their first major trophy since 1993.