The 2015-16 campaign delivered a highly successful season for Bayer Leverkusen as Die Werkself surged to an impressive 3rd-place finish in the Bundesliga, securing direct qualification for the UEFA Champions League. The season was instantly defined by the sensational arrival of Mexican international Javier 'Chicharito' Hernández, whose 17 league goals (and 26 overall) anchored the attack, often carrying the team through periods of inconsistency. After a bumpy mid-season, the team launched a dramatic late-season surge of seven consecutive victories to clinch the coveted third spot, making it a memorable year defined by their star striker's prolific form and their successful fight to secure elite European football.