Robert Andrich criticised Bayer Leverkusen’s mentality and lack of unity after their 3-1 defeat to Stuttgart left their Champions League hopes hanging by a thread.

Bayer Leverkusen captain Robert Andrich delivered a brutally honest assessment of his side following their damaging 3-1 Bundesliga defeat to VfB Stuttgart, admitting the team failed collectively when the pressure intensified.

The loss leaves Leverkusen’s hopes of securing UEFA Champions League football hanging by a thread heading into the final weekend of the season. Andrich did not hide his frustration after a performance he felt exposed deeper problems within the squad.

A bitter defeat in Stuttgart.#VfBB04 pic.twitter.com/5eAGdztKY3

— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) May 9, 2026

“It wasn’t enough from anyone,” the midfielder said after the match, before suggesting the defeat reflected a recurring issue that has affected Leverkusen throughout the campaign.

“Today was emblematic of our season. As soon as things get tight and tense, we fail to stick together as a team,” Andrich explained. The Germany international described the problem as a collective issue rather than an isolated poor display.

Despite taking the lead after only 34 seconds, Leverkusen quickly lost control of the contest and struggled to cope with Stuttgart’s intensity for most of the match. The visitors were second best across large periods and rarely looked capable of regaining momentum once Stuttgart settled into the game.

Andrich admitted the result was deserved, conceding that Leverkusen never truly looked like winning over the full 90 minutes. “We never even came close to beating Stuttgart,” he said in another frank post-match assessment.

Speaking later in the mixed zone, the midfielder went even further by questioning the mentality and togetherness inside the dressing room. According to Andrich, the squad lacks enough players willing to unite during difficult moments. “We have a lot of personalities who tend to keep things to themselves. We don’t have enough people who stick together,” he added.

The Leverkusen captain also accepted his own share of responsibility for the disappointing season, admitting he has repeatedly faced the media after similar performances. 

With one Bundesliga game remaining, Leverkusen sit sixth and now require victory over Hamburger SV, along with defeats for Stuttgart and TSG Hoffenheim, to keep alive their slim hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.