The match will be played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic. Werkself fans do have the chance to watch the game live. The only external friendly before the start of the season will be broadcast on Bayer 04 TV at bayer04.de and on the club’s YouTube channel.
The Werkself returned to full training on Monday morning. While the international players are on the road with their national teams, the Leverkusen players left at home face a first challenge in the clash with the Belgian side. Anderlecht are already up to speed in terms of match practice as the league started at the beginning of August. The results for the team currently eighth in the table: one win, three draws.
The 2019/20 season was abandoned after matchday 29 due to the coronavirus pandemic. RSC Anderlecht, with Vincent Kompany as player-manager, are currently eighth in the table five points behind Standard Liege who are in the qualifiers for the Europa League this term.
The most famous representative of the club from Brussels is the manager. Vincent Kompany took the helm at his former club in the summer. After coming through the youth ranks at RSC, he stepped up to the senior squad at the Violet and Whites in 2003. The central defender decided to move on to Hamburg SV three years later and then he played for Manchester City for eleven years becoming a massive club legend. Kompany was player-manager at RSC last season. The 34-year-old became head coach in the summer.
Anderlecht are one of the top clubs in Belgium in terms of youth development. Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens and many more came through the youth teams at the 34-time Belgian champions. With players like Albert Sambi Lokonga (20) and Jérémy Doku (18), the next generation of top talents are ready and waiting.
Today sees Bayer 04 go head-to-head with their next direct rivals in the race for Champions League qualification (kick-off 15:30 CEST). Opponents Stuttgart are currently fifth in the table, level on points with the Werkself but one place below them due to a three-goal inferior goal difference. The Black and Reds' record at Bad Cannstatt tells a clearer story: they've not lost at VfB for over 16 years. One important factor in securing what would be three crucial points away from home is Leverkusen's strength on the counter-attack. Whilst Stuttgart are also extremely dangerous going forward, they will be without their captain. Today’s matchday news.
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Another showdown in the race for the Champions League places takes place in Swabia: on Saturday 9 May (kick-off 15:30 CEST), the Werkself visit VfB Stuttgart, who are only behind on goal difference. In his pre-match press conference, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about confidence, excitement and mentality.
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Reinforcement in attack: Bayer 04 Leverkusen have secured the transfer of striker Maja Sternad from Bundesliga rivals SV Werder Bremen. The 22-year-old has signed a contract until 30 June 2028.
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It's a thrilling situation: as the season draws to a close, Stuttgart and Bayer 04 are heading into the home stretch almost neck and neck. After 32 games, with 17 wins, seven draws and eight defeats each, both teams are on 58 points. Even in terms of goals scored, VfB and the Werkself are level on 66. The Black and Reds have conceded just three fewer goals (43) than their rivals (46), which is why they sit one place behind fourth-placed Leverkusen. This Saturday, 9 May (kick-off: 15.30 CEST), the two teams go head to head at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with full-back Arthur ahead of schedule. The Werkself have agreed a new deal with the Brazilian to 30 June 2031. The 23-year-old was previously under contract to the summer of 2028.
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