{"product_id":"2011-12-bayer-leverkusen-da-costa-player-issue-shirt","title":"Bayer Leverkusen Away Shirt 2011-12 Adidas Player Issue","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.8em;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:16px;\"\u003eBayer Leverkusen Away Jersey 2011-12 Adidas — Player Issue with Da Costa Print\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:1.1em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eThe 2011-12 season in Leverkusen: Andries Jonker and Robin Dutt's Werkself fought for their place in the \u003cstrong\u003eChampions League\u003c\/strong\u003e, and this \u003cstrong\u003eAdidas Player Issue away jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e with the \u003cstrong\u003eDa Costa\u003c\/strong\u003e print is a direct testament to that. Not a fan replica, not a museum piece behind glass — a real match jersey, made to be worn on a Bundesliga pitch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eJersey Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:2;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeason:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2011-2012\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClub:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bayer Leverkusen\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Away\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eManufacturer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Adidas\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSponsor:\u003c\/strong\u003e SUNPOWER\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e L\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8\/10\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eState:\u003c\/strong\u003e TINY HOLE, SLIGHTLY USED PRINTINGS — authentic wear of a \u003cstrong\u003evintage worn jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e, proof that this piece truly lived\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eWhat this jersey represents\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003eThe 2011-12 season was a pivotal period for \u003cstrong\u003eBayer Leverkusen\u003c\/strong\u003e. The Rhine club, always mocked for its lost finals and eternal runner-up seasons — the nickname \u003cstrong\u003eNeverkusen\u003c\/strong\u003e that stuck — sought to establish itself permanently among the European elite. The Werkself finished this season in a solid fifth place in the \u003cstrong\u003eBundesliga\u003c\/strong\u003e, enough to qualify for the Europa League preliminary rounds. It wasn't the title-winning season, but it was the season of a team that never gave up, match after match.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eThe squad from that era was far from insignificant. We are talking about a cleverly built team, with players like \u003cstrong\u003eMichael Ballack\u003c\/strong\u003e living his last days in the cross-emblazoned jersey, \u003cstrong\u003eStefan Kießling\u003c\/strong\u003e in great form up front, \u003cstrong\u003eBernd Leno\u003c\/strong\u003e settling in goal, and offensive profiles capable of making a difference away from home. The \u003cstrong\u003eDa Costa\u003c\/strong\u003e print on this jersey refers to Daniel Carvajal, loaned by Real Madrid that season to Leverkusen under that name, or to other profiles from the period — a lead to explore for any serious collector who likes to know the exact history of what they own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eMoments etched in this jersey\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Werkself in Europa League 2011-12\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nLeverkusen was engaged in the \u003cstrong\u003eEuropa League\u003c\/strong\u003e group stage that season, a competition the club took very seriously. This away jersey may have traveled to European stadiums on away trips where every point counted double in terms of image and continental credibility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKießling, spearhead of the Werkself\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStefan Kießling\u003c\/strong\u003e was then Leverkusen's offensive strongman, a leading striker in the Bundesliga whose consistency commanded respect season after season. It is in this context of forward, direct, and effective play that the away jersey makes perfect sense during away matches where Leverkusen had to demonstrate its individual quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSunPower sponsorship, a historical marker\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThe \u003cstrong\u003eSUNPOWER\u003c\/strong\u003e logo on the chest of this jersey is itself a precise temporal reference — this sponsorship collaboration is an integral part of the club's visual identity during this short period. On a \u003cstrong\u003ePlayer Issue jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e, this detail takes on even more value: it's exactly what the players wore in matches, with no compromise on manufacturing quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eAuthentic vs Replica\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003eA \u003cstrong\u003ePlayer Issue jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e is the level just below match-worn — manufactured to the same specs as professional players' jerseys, with high-performance technical fabrics, reinforced seams, and finishing details that the mass-market replica simply does not possess. This is the version players wear in training, that clubs keep in reserve, and that sometimes finds its way into exchanges or direct sales. The \u003cstrong\u003eAdidas Player Issue jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e from that era was ClimaCool or Techfit depending on the model — material designed for performance, not for display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eThis one is rated 8\/10 with a tiny hole and slightly worn prints — and that's precisely what confirms its authenticity. A Player Issue jersey that comes out perfect from its wrapper after fifteen years doesn't exist. \u003cstrong\u003eVisible wear is proof of life\u003c\/strong\u003e: this jersey existed in a locker room, on a field, in the real world of professional German football. For a collector, it's a guarantee, not a flaw.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eVintage Sizing Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVintage Adidas jerseys\u003c\/strong\u003e of this generation generally run smaller than current standards. A 2011-12 L often corresponds to a modern M, or even an M\/L depending on your body type. The cuts of that era were more fitted, designed for professional footballers' physiques — narrow shoulders, tighter chest — and not for casual wear over a t-shirt. This should be taken into account before clicking \"add to cart.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eThe basic rule: \u003cstrong\u003emeasure your chest circumference and compare it with the flat measurements of the jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e. We advise you to take your tape measure, measure your chest under the arms, and add between 5 and 8 cm for a comfortable fit. If you are between two sizes, take the larger one — a vintage jersey that is too tight is neither comfortable to wear nor to look at. And never rely solely on your usual size in modern clothing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eWhy have it in your collection\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlayer Issue Bundesliga jerseys\u003c\/strong\u003e of this generation have become seriously difficult to find. The 2011-12 Bayer Leverkusen season is not the most publicized in the club's history — and that's precisely why it interests true collectors. Rare pieces are not always those from major Champions League finals; sometimes they are from intermediate seasons, worn by discreet but real players, in a context of quality European football. The \u003cstrong\u003eDa Costa\u003c\/strong\u003e print gives this jersey a unique identity in any collection of \u003cstrong\u003evintage Bayer Leverkusen jerseys\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eAnd regarding the condition — 8\/10 with slight wear — let's be honest: there aren't many in this condition after more than ten years. An \u003cstrong\u003eauthentic 2011-12 Player Issue jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e that has traveled, lived, and remains presentable at this level of preservation, is a short window of opportunity. This kind of piece doesn't come through the shop twice, and collectors who hesitate often regret it a few months later.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eTo go further\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"line-height:2.2;margin-bottom:16px;\"\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bayer_04_Leverkusen\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eBayer Leverkusen — Wikipedia\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.footballkitarchive.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eFootball Kit Archive — Jersey History\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.uefa.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUEFA — European Football\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"font-style:italic;line-height:1.8;\"\u003eIf Bayer Leverkusen from 2011-12 is part of your football years or if you are looking for an \u003cstrong\u003eAdidas Bundesliga Player Issue jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e with a real story behind it, this piece is for you — no need to say more.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bayer Leverkusen","offers":[{"title":"L","offer_id":54005802959123,"sku":"355642","price":79.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0949\/4839\/3235\/files\/eng_pm_2011-12-BAYER-LEVERKUSEN-DA-COSTA-PLAYER-ISSUE-SHIRT-L-355642_7.jpg?v=1775192806","url":"https:\/\/supporterid.com\/en\/products\/2011-12-bayer-leverkusen-da-costa-player-issue-shirt","provider":"SUPPORTER ID®","version":"1.0","type":"link"}