Bayer Leverkusen defeated Rot-Weiss Essen 3-0 in a club friendly on 1 August 2026 at the BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany, as part of pre-season preparations ahead of the new campaign.
Algerian midfielder Ibrahim Maza scored in the ninth minute, Czech forward Patrik Schick converted a penalty in the 23rd minute, and German-American midfielder Montrell Culbreath added the third in the 79th minute.
Leverkusen controlled the match with a dominant first half before maintaining a solid defensive shape after the break.
Leverkusen’s next match is scheduled for 8 August 2026 against Sevilla in another pre-season friendly.