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| Full name | TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen e.V. |
| Nickname | |
| Founded | 1904 |
| Ground | BayArena, Leverkusen |
| Capacity | 22,500 |
| Chairman | Wolfgang Holzhäuser |
| Manager | Klaus Augenthaler |
| League | First Bundesliga |
| 2003-04 | First Bundesliga, 3rd |
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|} Bayer Leverkusen is a soccer club in the German Bundesliga.
It was founded in 1904 on the 1st of July and was part of a sports club established by Friedrich Bayer and Co. Although it was established a long time ago, its successes and fame in the German football scene were not realised until 1988 when they defeated Espanyol of Barcelona 3-2 on penalties after finishing the two-legged UEFA Cup final level 3-3 on aggregate. It was to be, however, their only major tournament victory; their unofficial nickname of 'perennial bridesmaid' was earned in the Bundesliga campaign throughout the late 1990s, which saw them leading the German football league standings only to falter in later matches and ultimately surrender their imminent crown to major rivals Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
Despite of all these, Bayer Leverkusen was regarded as a major German club as they feature regularly in the top Champions League competition and even advanced to the final of the 2001/2002 edition, only to lose to Real MadridReal Madrid Club de Futbol ( 1902) is Spain's and the world's most successful football club, according to FIFA's club ranking of the 20th century, just ahead of Manchester United. Formed on March 6 1902, it competes in the Spanish first division or Primer. Its coach at that time, Klaus Toppmöller , was the inspirational figure in their rise to the pinnacle of European club football.
The club went through startling reversals of fortune in the next two seasons. In the 20022002 is a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). 2002 was the first palindromic year since 1991 and the last until 2112. 2002 was also designated: International Year of Ecotourism and Mountains National Science Year in the United Kingdom offseason, Bayer lost midfield stars Michael BallackMichael Ballack (born September 20, 1976 in Gorlitz, ( East) Germany) is a German football player. He plays central midfield for Bayern Munich in the German Bundesliga. He was transferred to Bayern Munich from Bayer Leverkusen on July 1, 2002, for an undi and Zé Roberto to archrivals Bayern. The club proceeded to flirt with relegation for most of the 2002/03 season, only assuring survival in the top level in their last game. The 2003/04 season saw Bayer surge back toward the upper levels of the Bundesliga, eventually finishing third.