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."
Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
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Bayer 04 are away to third-division club SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal. That was the outcome of the draw on Saturday night, 6 June, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. The Werkself first round tie will be played between 21 and 24 August. The exact date has yet to be finalised.
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Carles Martìnez is raring to go. The 42-year-old speaks in his first interview in Leverkusen about the club's development to date and how he wants to build on it. He describes his previous work in France, Kuwait, Qatar and his native Barcelona, his experience in developing young players, and the key steps between now and the start of pre-season training.
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New Bayer 04 head coach Carles Martínez has arrived in Leverkusen! At midday on Friday, the 42-year-old spoke in a press conference at the BayArena about his philosophy and his aims. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes also discussed the reasons for appointing the former Toulouse boss.
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