The 1-1 draw in the top match at RB Leipzig is already receding into the background for the Black and Reds as Bayer 04 entertain Union Berlin in the DFB Cup quarter-final at the BayArena on Wednesday 4 March (kick-off: 18.30 CET). Head coach Peter Bosz says his players are undaunted by the packed fixture list: "We are fully focused. I've said the cup is a very important competition. The players are very focused on every game and I can see that as the coach."
The Dutchman welcomed eleven players to the training ground today. The captain, Lars Bender, who went off injured in the 3-1 win in the second leg at FC Porto, did not train with his team mates. It remains to be seen whether the defender will be available for the DFB Cup tie against Union.
After today's training session, Bosz found words of praise for Nadiem Amiri – that was primarily due to the football intelligence of the 23-year-old who moved from holding midfield to the right side of the defence in the game against Leipzig. "For my playing philosophy it's important that we attack with eleven players but also defend with eleven men. That's why I like Nadiem being able to play as an attacking midfielder or as a six. At Ajax, I turned Daley Sinkgraven from an attacking midfielder into a full-back; some players can do that. The same goes for Amiri who can play in different positions. He's a very intelligent player and I like working with players like that. He set up our goal against Leipzig."
Werkself Radio has established a new record with around 15,000 listeners for the Europa League Round of 32 victory for Bayer 04. The 3-1 win against Porto attracted the highest number of listeners for a match and that was almost twice as many as for the Bundesliga away game at Bayern Munich (2-1). The commentators Cedric Pick and Niko Hartmann will be on duty for the Round of 16 games in the Europa League against Rangers (12 and 19 March). In addition, the duo are in action for all Bundesliga and DFB Cup fixtures.
BILD praised two Black and Red defenders for their performances against RB Leipzig (1-1). Goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky was named in the Team of the Matchday with a rating of two. Defender Edmond Tapsoba, signed in the winter break, received an even higher mark. The 21-year-old picked up top marks and it was logical that the Burkina Faso international was also in the matchday eleven.
There was also praise in the football press for midfielder Kerem Demirbay: Last Thursday night, the former Hoffenheim player scored his first competitive goal for the Werkself against Porto in the Europa League. Three days later, the 26-year-old produced an impressive performance in the top match at RB Leipzig – and kicker named him Man of the Match. The reasoning: "He was the linchpin for Bayer and stood out on the left side of midfield with his distribution and his ability to switch play."
The newly formed Nations League is entering its second round. After the increase from 12 to 16 teams, Germany with Kai Havertz, Jonathan Tah and Co. are still in Division A but they are in a really tough group: Clashes with England, France or Spain are possible. There is a possibility the Werkself Austria players Julian Baumgartlinger and Alexander Dragovic could play against Bayer 04 keeper Lukas Hradecky: Both Austria and Finland are in Division B.
The individual groups will be drawn in Amsterdam tomorrow (Tuesday 3 March) from 18.00 CET. The group stage will be played on three double matchdays after the Euros in the summer between September and November. The finals with the four group winners from Division A take place from 2 to 6 June 2021.
Feliz Aniversário, Franca! The former Werkself striker today celebrates his 44th birthday. The player born in Brazil joined Bayer 04 in 2002. In 97 games for the Black and Reds, Françoaldo Sena de Souza scored 33 goals. Bayer 04 wish him many happy returns!
Less than a year ago, Kerim Alajbegovic moved from the Bayer 04 U19s to Austrian top-flight club FC Red Bull Salzburg. The forward’s development since then has been impressive. In 36 matches, including in the UEFA Europa League, the 18-year-old has scored 14 goals. In the summer, Alajbegovic, now a Bosnia international, will return to Leverkusen - and thus not only achieve the next milestone still early in his career, but also enrich the Werkself squad with his footballing versatility and determination.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with forward Nathan Tella ahead of schedule. The versatile 26-year-old, who can be deployed as a right winger, false nine or left winger, has penned a new contract to 30 June 2031. Tella joined the Werkself from Championship club Southampton in 2023. His previous contract ran to the summer of 2028.
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Nathan Tella has extended his contract with Bayer 04 to 2031. In an interview with Werkself TV, the 26-year-old talks about fulfilling his dreams, his positive outlook on life and his goals for the future. He answers the questions in English - all except the last one, which he addresses directly to the fans...
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In the final international break in the current 2025/26 campaign, Bayer 04 striker Patrik Schick with Czechia will be battling for a place at the World Cup. Meanwhile, national teams that have already qualified, include other Werkself players called up, are involved in friendlies in the build-up to the World Cup. Read on for an overview of the Leverkusen internationals and their match dates.
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The Werkself kicked off the final international break of the current season on Monday morning with the first of three open training sessions this week. While eleven Bayer 04 players will be away on international duty in the coming days, the other players will be working together in Leverkusen. The next challenge in the Bundesliga awaits on Saturday, 4 April (kick-off: 15:30 CEST) with the home game against VfL Wolfsburg.
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