It was a great fair play gesture by the Leverkusen former head coach Peter Bosz in his time at Bayer 04. On matchday five of last season, the Dutchman instructed his player Exequiel Palacios to give the ball back to FC Augsburg after the referee incorrectly awarded a free kick.
The 57-year-old, now head coach at French top-flight club Lyon, was recently awarded a fair play medal in the category of professional football by the German Football Association (DFB). "Fair play is important to me as a coach because I want to win but in a fair way," said Bosz who was at Leverkusen from December 2018 to March 2021.
More Werkself players return: Copa América participant Charles Aránguiz and Joel Pohjanpalo are back on the Bayer 04 training ground at the BayArena. While the Chilean took a full part in today’s session, the Finland international Pohjanpalo completed an individual workout on Friday following his Covid-19 infection. We are glad to see you back on the pitch at Leverkusen.
After two media days for the Werkself on Monday and Tuesday, the same was on the agenda for the Bayer 04 Women's squad on Wednesday. Videos and photos were shot for social media formats. Anna Klink and Co. were filmed again at the start of the week – this time as part of a German Football Association (DFB) Media Day. Three players from each Bundesliga club were at the event held at the Würzburger Kickers FLYERALARM Arena - the captain, goalkeeper plus another player attended. In addition to Klink, Bayer 04 were represented by captain Nina Brüggemann and striker Milena Nikolic. The trio completed sessions with the DFB, ELFEN magazine and the league partner FLYERALARM.
Good TV news for the Bayer 04 Women's team: As announced by Sky this week, the satellite broadcaster will show a top match from each of the Woman's DFB Cup rounds proper next season, which will be six matches including the final in Cologne. The team under head coach Achim Feifel – like all other Bundesliga clubs – join the competition in the second round. Those ties will be played on 25 and 26 September. The final is on 28 May 2022.
While Nadiem Amiri and the Germany Olympic team had to return home after the group stage, Paulinho with Brazil is continuing to compete for a medal. The quarter-final against underdogs Egypt is on Saturday at 12.00 CEST. If they win, the Selecao will play the winners of the game between South Korea and Mexico in the semi-finals. Good luck for the rest of the tournament, Paulinho.
Amiri and Paulinho are not the only ones to represent the Leverkusen sports community in Tokyo. Eleven athletes from TSV Bayer 04 are at the Olympic Games. We wish them every success and are crossing our fingers. Here are the TSV Bayer 04 Olympians:
The online vote for the UEFA Goal of the Season is over and the winner is Mehdi Taremi. The Iranian playing for FC Porto won out with his bicycle kick in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final tie against Chelsea. The 29-year-old received 30 per cent of the 600,000 plus votes cast. Werkself players Patrik Schick and Florian Wirtz were also in the ten players nominated but they did not make the top three.
Dani Carvajal has extended his contract with the Spanish record champions Real Madrid to 2025. The right-back joined the Madrid side in 2013. In the season before that, he made 36 appearances for Bayer 04 after he was signed from the Real second team.
Sam Schreck has found a new club. The offensive player joined the Werkself U19s from the FC St. Pauli youth set-up in 2016 and three years later moved on to FC Groningen. The Dutch top-flight club have now sent him out on a season-long loan to FC Erzgebirge Aue. It is hoped the 22-year-old will be able to gain match practice in the second division.
A former Leverkusen player can look forward to a new challenge off the pitch. Jens Nowotny, a player with Bayer 04 from 1996 to 2006, is set to become the Germany U18 assistant coach on 1 August. The 47-year-old will work alongside Guido Streichsbier and Gunther Metz. "I'm very much looking forward to it and working with the talented youngsters and the coaching team. I've experienced a lot in football including after my playing career and I believe I can communicate that to the lads and they will benefit from it," said the 48-time Germany international.
The 36 professional clubs in German football are in contact with the authorities on the implementation of creative vaccination provision in connection with sports events. This approach was discussed at the DFL general meeting on 14 July. Vaccinations are to be made available at home games, training sessions and stadium tours.
Bayer 04 offered a free vaccination service at the BayArena a week ago. As part of the North Rhine Westphalia vaccination week, doses of the vaccine Comirnaty® from BioNTech/Pfizer were administered. The procedure was uncomplicated and there is no requirement to book. Bayer 04 are planning further vaccination opportunities as part of forthcoming club events.
Kevin Volland played for the Werkself for four years. The striker made 148 appearances scoring 50 goals and providing 32 assists. The Allgäu-born forward signed for AS Monaco in the summer. Volland ended up in third position in Ligue 1 and he was called up to the Germany Euro 2020 squad by Joachim Löw. The former Werkself player celebrates his 29th birthday today (Friday) – and is no doubt in his usual good mood. Many happy returns, Kevin.
Bayer 04 welcomed 14 media representatives from Africa on Friday, 1 December. The trip for journalists from the likes of Burkina Faso, Senegal, Mozambique, Togo, Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana and Togo was organised by the Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL) with the goal of establishing and promoting Africa as a new target market for the Bundesliga.
Show moreBayer 04 has modernised its media working area in the stands at the BayArena and equipped it with new, multifunctional monitors. The 50 screens will be used for the first time for the fixture against Borussia Dortmund on Matchday 13 in the Bundesliga next Sunday, 3 December (kick-off: 17:30 CET) and offer the media representatives working at the BayArena on matchday numerous possibilities.
Show moreBayer 04 have little time to recover from their 2-0 win away at Häcken in the UEFA Europe League, ensuring progress to the round of 16, before their next challenge up against Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga on Sunday (17:30 CET). At his pre-match press conference on Friday morning, head coach Xabi Alonso spoke about BVB and gave a warning about not losing focus.
Show moreSpirits are high at Borussia Dortmund following their impressive display and result away at AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. On Sunday (17:30 CET), they want to keep an impressive week going with another scalp in Leverkusen. Here’s the lowdown on our next opponents.
Show more