The German Football Association (DFB) has appointed Robert Schröder as the match referee for the home game against Union Berlin. The 37-year-old has previously been in charge of two matches involving the Werkself with the Black and Reds winning both. Schröder will be assisted by Dr. Jan Neitzel-Petersen and Stefan Lupp on the touchlines and Günter Perl is the VAR official. Have a good game.
The Berlin team have only won one of their nine games against the Werkself (three draws, five defeats). After the Irons lost all of their first five meetings they have been unbeaten in the last four (one win, three draws). The one victory came in January of last year with a 1-0 home win for Union. The team from Köpenick have yet to win a game at the BayArena. The Berliners have picked up three defeats and two draws away to the Werkself – the Irons have not played any other current Bundesliga team more often away without winning (also five times at Dortmund and Augsburg).
The performances of the Berliners have again been outstanding this season in the league, the DFB Cup and on the European stage. The Fischer team were top of the Bundesliga after seven matchdays. As Bayern Munich beat Hertha Berlin 4-2 yesterday, the record champions are back in top spot for the first time since matchday four – for the time being. The Irons could go top again with a win against the Werkself today.
They are currently the main challengers to Bayern after only being promoted to the Bundesliga three years ago – for the first time in the club's history. Union Berlin have broken record after record in every season – the eight wins for Union Berlin in the Bundesliga is already the record in a Hinrunde. They have improved season after season since arriving in Germany's top flight: They finished eleventh in their first season, the infamous second season did not bring relegation but rather qualification for European football in the newly introduced UEFA Conference League. The Irons went one better last term by qualifying for the UEFA Europa League where they finished second in their group last week to qualify for the knockout round play-offs. Further information can be found in our lowdown on the next opponents.
Anyone wanting key information ahead of the game between the Alonso team and the Fischer eleven should take a look at the new Werkself LIVE. The matchday programme including key stats and facts on the clash with the club from the capital is available at the BayArena. It is also available free of charge online HERE .
As usual, the Werkself Radio will be covering the match against the team from Köpenick. The audio broadcast starts 30 minutes before kick-off with Cedric Pick and Niko Hartmann providing the commentary. The live text service also provides up-to-date information to ensure you don't miss any of the action. Both Werkself Radio and the live text service are available at bayer04.de and on the Bayer 04 app.
Bundesliga matchday 13 against Union Berlin is special: On the 25th Anniversary of the DFB launching their volunteering day of action in 1997, Bayer 04 says thank you to our many volunteers. Since 2007/08 the tireless volunteers have helped ensure the smooth operation at home games and an enjoyable visit for all friends of Bayer 04. The volunteers also get something in return: With the exception of the first and last five minutes of a match they can watch the game live, get something to eat and drink in the stadium and have the chance to look back at the game after the final whistle in the volunteers room. They also have a full uniform from the official supplier and there are regular events such as the Christmas party or volunteers away trips. Anyone interested in volunteering at the Werkself can find further information HERE.
There are ongoing issues with travelling to and from the game on public transport due to the suspension of the S-Bahn service in and around Leverkusen-Mitte station. Further up-to-date information can be found on the websites of the Deutsche Bahn and wupsi.
The former Werkself player André Schürrle is 32 today. Schürrle joined Bayer 04 from Mainz 05 in 2011 and he moved to England in 2013 when he signed for Chelsea before returning to the Bundesliga in 2015 to play for VfL Wolfsburg and later Borussia Dortmund. The World Cup winner of 2014 ended his playing career at the age of 29 in 2020. Also celebrating his birthday is Robson Ponte and the Brazilian is 46 today. The former midfielder played for Leverkusen from 1999 to 2001 making a total of 105 appearances in Black and Red across all competitions. The Brazilian also made his first appearance in the Champions League in his time under the Bayer Cross. Bayer 04 wish both a happy birthday.
The Golden Boy Top 100 traditionally lists Europe’s most promising young players. In the latest update, published to mark the start of the new season, four current Werkself players – alongside loanee Francis Onyeka – feature on the list. This means Bayer 04 have the most players in contention of any Bundesliga club.
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Goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe will continue to play for Bayer 04 Leverkusen next season. The loan of the Germany U23 international, who joined from Liverpool in the winter, has been extended by a further year.
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The Bayer 04 delegation, led by Fernando Carro, CEO, concluded their multi-day trip to Brazil with a visit to the community-based organisation Bola Pra Frente in Rio de Janeiro – founded by former Werkself player Jorginho. During the visit, Bayer 04 committed to extending support for the Bola Pra Frente project for a further five years. In addition, Jorginho, a member of the Brazil 1994 World Cup-winning squad, was named Bayer 04’s second official club legend. With the visit to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the club has strengthened the relationships built up over the years in one of Bayer 04’s most important international markets.
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Ten years after retiring as a player, Kristina Sundov is returning to the Bayer 04 Women’s team as assistant coach. The 39-year-old former Croatia international takes over from Remzi Kahraman, who has taken up a new challenge abroad. She has been given a contract to 30 June 2028.
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The training pitches at the BayArena are already buzzing with activity again, even before training officially begins next week. On Monday morning, a small group from the Werkself first-team squad completed a session lasting around an hour. Both new and familiar faces were present.
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