Back
15.03.2018Bayer 04

Lars Bender doubtful for derby

Excitement mounts ahead of derby. Bayer 04 and FC Köln meet for the 62nd time in the league on Sunday (18 March, 15.30 CET). With three days to go before the clash with the neighbours, head coach Heiko Herrlich had to manage without three players on Thursday.
Lars_Bender.jpg

While Vladlen Yurchenko and Charles Aránguiz were rested and completed individual sessions in the first team facilities, there is a question mark over the appearance of Lars Bender at the weekend. The skipper complained of muscular problems in his groin on Tuesday.

"We have to see day by day if Lars will be fit in time," said head coach Heiko Herrlich. Lars Bender has made 17 appearances so far this season, scoring twice and providing five assists along the way.

Bewerb_Schwadbud_HomepageMediumRectangle_300x250px_Koelnvs.jpg

Related News

Autogrammstunde
Bayer 04 - 28.08.2026

Fanwelt event following UEL draw: Autograph session with Culbreath and Sergio

The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.

Show more
Exequiel Palacios
Bayer 04 - 27.08.2026

Exequiel Palacios joins Ipswich Town

After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.

Show more
Exequiel Palacios mit der Meisterschale
Bayer 04 - 27.08.2026

¡Gracias, Pala! – Farewell after six and a half years at Leverkusen

When Exequiel Palacios moved from the Argentinian club River Plate to Bayer Leverkusen on 1 January 2020, the then 21-year-old could not have imagined just how successful the next six and a half years would be for him. Pala, as he is known, had already won the Copa Libertadores – the most prestigious competition in South American club football – with River Plate. But there were still so many more trophies to come.

Show more
Die schönsten Tore von Exequiel Palacios
Werkself-TV - 27.08.2026

Exequiel Palacios' top goals

To mark Exequiel Palacios’s departure, we’ve put together a compilation of the midfielder’s finest and most important goals from his six-and-a-half years at the club.

Show more