Bayer 04 are currently planning for an attendance of 6,000 fans at the BayArena on Saturday in accordance with the coronavirus prevention order issued by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and a current infection rate of 17.7 (as at 23 September). If the critical rate of new infections does not exceed 35 per 100,000 population on Friday afternoon, 25 September, then the plan remains in place as agreed by the club and the city council. Failing that, the match will have to be played behind closed doors.
Fernando Carro, CEO at Bayer 04: “We are grateful for the cooperative and constructive approach shown to us by the mayor. In his role, he is responsible for all the citizens of the city and not just for football fans. As the organisers of this event, we have to accept a late postponement even though that does involve another economic risk for us. But we remain optimistic and hope we will be able to enjoy the Bundesliga atmosphere at the BayArena on Saturday for the first time in months.”
Leverkusen’s mayor Uwe Richrath: “After a long period of football games behind closed doors, it is important to me that Bayer 04 fans can finally return to the stadium. Unfortunately, the football stadiums will not be full again soon but it is a start. To avoid this being a one-off, we have to continue to adhere to the coronavirus prevention meaures. Bayer 04 fans can be proud of the discipline shown in the Covid-19 crisis and that includes people who have stood up for the less well-off.”
Health department head Alexander Lünenbach: “The management at Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH have presented a convincing hygiene concept for matches with crowds during the coronavirus pandemic. Provided we succeed in keeping the situation under control at the current level, there are no concerns about resuming matches with spectators. If, however, the number of cases significantly increases and a critical level is reached then the applicable coronavirus prevention measures will force us to act so that we are able to to deny admission of spectators to the stadium at short notice under those circumstances."
Bayer 04 can go through to the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League for the ninth time tonight, 24 February (kick-off: 21:00 CET) and be in the top 16 clubs in Europe. A good omen: Leverkusen have progressed to the next round after winning the first leg in 20 of their 22 knockout rounds in European competitions to date. For their part, Greek record champions Olympiacos rested several players for last weekend’s league fixture ahead of the play-off second leg at the BayArena and will now do everything in their power to turn the tide with their usual aggressive and high pressing. The discussions on Werkself radio are likely to be just as intense as the battle on the pitch, with commentator Florian Bechholz welcoming honorary captain Stefan Kießling and goalkeeper Mark Flekken. Today’s matchday news.
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With the advantage of the 2-0 first-leg win in the play-offs, the Werkself are looking to book their place in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League at the sold-out BayArena. Ahead of the home game against Olympiacos on Tuesday, 24 February (kick-off: 21:00 CET), coach Kasper Hjulmand and goalkeeper Janis Blaswich spoke about the position ahead of the match, the visitors' strength at set-pieces and a personnel issue for the home side.
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With a win in the Greek Super League last weekend, Olympiacos achieved success on the pitch ahead of the UEFA Champions League play-off second leg at Bayer 04 on Tuesday, 24 February (kick-off: 21:00 CET). Coach José Luis Mendilibar rested many of his regular starters.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 0-1 loss against TSG Hoffenheim on the 19th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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