Bayer Leverkusen (also known as Bayer 04 Leverkusen or SV Bayer Leverkusen) is a professional German football club, based in Leverkusen, North Rhine Westphalia. Bayer Leverkusen was founded in 1904. Bayer Leverkusen won the Second Division title in 1968 but was unsuccessful in advancing through the play-off round to the First Division and were relegated in 1973 until one season later they have managed to return to the Bundesliga. It took Bayer Leverkusen just 4 years since being promoted to secure its place in the Bundesliga.

Bayer Leverkusen advanced into the top half of the league table during the middle of the 80's and well established there by the end of the 80's. Bayer Leverkusen earn its first honors when dramatically winning Espanyol in the 1988 UEFA Cup. Bayer Leverkusen has earned its next honor 5 years later in 1993 when winning in the German Cup 1-0.

From 1997 to 2002, Bayer Leverkusen earned a series of top four finishes that included 4 second place finishes. In the 2004-2005 season, Bayer Leverkusen finished at the 6th place. This has ensured the team will enter the UEFA Cup in the following 2005/06 season. Bayer Leverkusen finished the 2005/06 season in the fifth place and by that earned it place in the 2006/07 UEFA Cup.

The season of 2007/2008 was not as successful as the ones before it for Bayer Leverkusen.
Although the season has looked promising at first, Bayer Leverkusen has lots 7 out of the last 10 matches in that season. Leverkusen's goal count for that season were not sufficient to qualify for the UEFA Cup._©22/02/2012Germanbundesligatickets.com

Lukas Podolski set to return to Koln training, but questionable for derby with Leverkusen

The prolific forward has recovered from ankle ligament damage and will join his club on Tuesday, but his Bundesliga comeback may have to wait until after Saturday's Rhine derby

 Bundesliga Team of the Week: Round 22 - Arango returns as Marin & Schurrle debut

Goal.com picks the best of the best from Germany's top flight in the most recent round of action

 Andre Schurrle expresses concern over unrest at Bayer Leverkusen

The Germany international has stressed that things have to calm down at the club in order to allow the team to focus on football again

 Bundesliga Round 22 Results: Monchengladbach keep title tilt on track while Leverkusen return to form by crushing Augsburg
Two first half goals were enough for Lucien Favre's side to beat Kaiserslautern, while Nurnberg recorded a vital victory over Koln. Elsewhere, Bremen picked up a rare away victory

 Leverkusen's Michael Ballack close to signing with Major League Soccer team

Sources have told Goal.com that the former Germany captain and ex-Chelsea star would like to conclude his career in North America and is in deep discussions with MLS

 Bayer Leverkusen CEO Wolfgang Holzhauser invites Michael Ballack to request contract termination

The veteran German midfielder has been given the option to leave the BayArena before the end of the season, having fallen out of favour with coach Robin Dutt

 Bayer Leverkusen director Rudi Voller slams Friedrich & Kadlec for swapping shirts with Barcelona star Messi

The former Germany international has expressed his dismay with the defenders' behaviour, and has confiscated their memento from their Champions League clash

 Mascherano refusing to look beyond Bayer Leverkusen

The Catalans have built up a commanding first-leg lead over the Bundesliga outfit but the Argentine midfielder insists that qualification for the last eight is far from assured

 Pep Guardiola insists Gerard Pique is untouchable at Barcelona

The 41-year-old has stressed that the centre-back is still a key player for the Catalans and revealed that he didn't feature on Tuesday in order to keep him fit for the weekend

 Fabregas admits Barcelona were 'boring' against Bayer Leverkusen

The former Arsenal star has acknowledged that the Catalans were less spectacular than usual, but felt they employed the right tactics against the German side

 Dani Alves urges Barcelona to finish the job at Camp Nou against Bayer Leverkusen

The Brazil international has voiced his satisfaction with Tuesday evening's win over Leverkusen, but is determined not to get complacent for the second-leg clash

 Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola rues final passes and misuse of first-half space

The Catalan coach believes his side could have done better in the first 45 minutes, but admitted he was happy as the champions ran out 3-1 winners over Bayer Leverkusen On Tuesday

 Alexis looks ahead to 'difficult' second leg as Leverkusen boss Dutt laments showing Barcelona 'too much respect'

The German boss admitted defeat as the home side suffered a night to forget with Guardiola's men running riot, while Sanchez and Busquets expressed joy with their dominant display

 Bayer Leverkusen 1-3 Barcelona: Alexis double and Messi clincher all but edges Champions League holders into last eight

The champions took a big step towards qualifying for the next round of Europe's elite tournament as goals from the South American duo see them take a lead into the second leg

 TEAM NEWS: Iniesta & Cesc return for Barcelona at Leverkusen in the Champions League, but Xavi & Pique miss out

Pep Guardiola recalls the two midfielders, but is without both Xavi and Pique for the last-16 clash in Germany. Sergi Roberto, Isaac Cuenca and Marc Bartra are all on the bench