The 2011-12 campaign delivered a respectable 5th-place finish for Die Werkself, securing a spot in the Europa League despite a turbulent mid-season managerial change. Leading the charge was the prolific Stefan Kießling, whose 16 goals established him as the top German goalscorer in a season defined by his attacking consistency and the veteran presence of Michael Ballack. The campaign also featured a memorable, though humbling, run to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 against Lionel Messi's all-conquering Barcelona side. It was a transitional year that set the foundation for the club’s next phase.. The 2012-13 campaign delivered a triumphant return to the Champions League for Bayer Leverkusen, as Die Werkself secured a strong 3rd-place finish in the Bundesliga. Leading the charge was the clinical veteran striker Stefan Kießling, whose remarkable 25 goals earned him the Bundesliga's coveted Golden Boot. This personal triumph was clinched on the final day with a decisive winner against Hamburg that secured their automatic qualification spot. The team, featuring emerging talents like André Schürrle and Dani Carvajal, finished as the "best of the rest" behind the top two, marking a defining chapter of renewed European status for the club.