Bayer 04 have two games to play this term. After the goalless draw at Bremen and the day off at the start of the week, the focus of captain Charles Aránguiz and Co. will be completely on the next match from Tuesday – and it promises to be a good one: On Saturday, 15 May (kick-off: 15.30 CEST), Union Berlin visit the BayArena. A win against the team in eighth place would put the Werkself in the Europa League next season. To ensure the best possible preparation, head coach Hannes Wolf will hold training sessions every day this week.
Players, coaches and staff can still sleep at home with their families. Following training on Wednesday, the quarantine training camp decided by the German Football League (DFL) will start. In the period up to the last game of the season at Borussia Dortmund (22 May), the Bayer 04 team and staff will stay at the Lindner Hotel BayArena and be on the training ground.
Germany team doctor Tim Meyer believes it is realistic to see fans back for the start of the next Bundesliga season. “It definitely won’t be 100 per cent full straight away but hopefully games behind closed doors will not be needed if we assume the predictions regarding the infections are correct,” according to the head of the sports medicine/ special match in the Welt am Sonntag.
Regarding the start of the 2021/22 season on 13 August, Meyer said: “I hope and believe the protective measures can be significantly reduced next season.” The basis for the return of fans to stadiums is reduced incidence and, above all, a high rate of vaccinations.
Do you remember? Exactly eleven years ago, the farewell game for Bernd ‘Schnix’ Schneider was staged at the BayArena. Pure excitement, emotional words, numerous contemporaries on the pitch and 20,000 frenetic Werkself fans – it was a perfect stage for the last performance by our legendary number 25. HERE is the report from Bayer 04 TV again.
One year before Bernd Schneider joined Leverkusen, a certain Christian Wörns left the Werkself in 1998. The Mannheim-born player held the Leverkusen defence together for seven years. Wörns was in the Bayer 04 team that won the DFB Cup in 1993. He ended his playing career in 2008 and is now the coach of the Germany U19 team. Bayer 04 wish Wörns many happy returns on his 49th birthday.
The former Werkself head coach Jupp Heynckes celebrated his 76th birthday on Sunday. He was the Bayer 04 coach from 2009 to 2011. Belated congratulations, Don Jupp!
In mid-August, the Werkself will set off on a four-day trip to England to play their final two friendly matches of the 2026/27 pre-season against Premier League clubs Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United. The match in Nottingham against the Tricky Trees is on Wednesday 12 August at 20:45 CEST (19:45 BST) at the City Ground. The game against the Magpies in Newcastle is on Saturday 15 August at 16:00 CEST (15:00 BST) at the atmospheric St James’ Park. Details on ticket sales for both matches.
Show more
Black and Red talent development at the highest level – even off the pitch: Apprentices Jule Suermann, Leandra Bellia and Julia Niederheide have successfully completed their two- or three-year apprenticeships at the club. Bayer 04 honoured the trio at the BayArena on Tuesday.
Show more
Following the summer break, most of the players are back in Leverkusen. While two Bayer 04 first-team players are still in action at the World Cup, the players present officially kicked off the new season with fitness assessments. At the Werkstatt, the Bayer 04 rehabilitation and training centre, Robert Andrich, Edmond Tapsoba and the rest of the squad worked up quite a sweat in the sweltering summer heat. New signings Afonso Moreira and Kennet Eichhorn also successfully completed the day’s sessions alongside their new team-mates.
Show more
The Werkself return tomorrow, Tuesday 14 July (from 11:00 CEST at the BayArena; live stream on bayer04.de, the Bayer 04 app and YouTube), with new head coach Carles Martínez leading his first training session as part of the Bayer 04 set-up. His coaching team comprises a mix of new and long-standing colleagues.
Show more
The FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Canada and Mexico is underway. A total of eight Leverkusen players are taking part in the 23rd World Cup, with 48 teams in the tournament for the first time. Bayer04.de brings you all the latest from Werkself players at the World Cup.
Show more
