Bayer 04 Leverkusen bounced back from the nearly disastrous season it came from, finishing in the top three and qualifying for the UEFA Champions League in the process. The season marked the breakthrough for Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov, who scored 16 goals, whereas Brazilian signing França contributed with 14 strikes. As it was, it was the attack that impressed the most, especially in the 6–2 crushing of champions Werder Bremen on the penultimate day of the season.
^Jones was born in Frankfurt, West Germany, and represented Germany at U-20, U-21 and B level and before making his international debut for Germany in February 2008, but also qualified to represent the United States through his father and made his international debut for the United States in October 2010.
^Baştürk was born in Herne, West Germany, but also qualified to represent Turkey internationally and made his international debut for Turkey in 1998.
^Şahin was born in Cologne, West Germany, but also qualified to represent Turkey internationally and represented Turkey at U-21 level.
^Neuville was born in Locarno, Switzerland, but also qualified to represent Italy and Germany internationally through his mother and father respectively and made his debut for Germany in September 1998.