Bayer 04 members can look forward to receiving the newly printed Werkself yearbook in the next few days as the first and exclusive recipients. For the 2021/22 season, this publication again provides an all-round view of the Black and Reds: The magazine contains presentations of the Bayer 04 teams plus comprehensive statistics and a detailed interview with the new Werkself head coach Gerardo Seoane.
At bayer04.de you can also browse through all previous Werkself Magazines from the first edition from the 2015/16 season.
The world of football is mourning the loss of the one-time world class striker Gerd Müller. The Nordlingen-born player scored 523 goals in a 580 games for Bayern Munich between 1964 and 1979 and he also scored 68 goals in 62 games for Germany. 'Der Bomber' passed away on Sunday at the age of 75.
Rudi Völler paid Müller his respects like many other greats of football. The Bayer 04 sporting managing director said: "Gerd Müller was one of the greatest goalscorers of all time, not just in Germany but worldwide. Of course, he was a role model for me as a striker. It's a sad day for football, Gerd's achievements will never be forgotten."
Two Werkself players with strong memories and steady hands: During the training camp in Salzburger Land, Julian Baumgartlinger and Lukas Hradecky played a game of Jenga. While the stalwarts skilfully manoeuvred the pieces out of the tower, they also indulged in a humorous round of ‘I'll pack my bag.’ What the pair came up with besides a wetsuit, Kevin Volland and a kaleidoscope of other mad things can be seen on the club's Bayer 04 YouTube channel. HERE is the video.
Under the motto 'Help after the flood: The football benefit match', numerous former players came together for a benefit event at the Mosel Stadium in Trier a few days ago. That included former Leverkusen players Jens Nowotny, Philipp Wollscheid, Lukas Sinkiewicz and Thomas Zdebel. Including a group donation from the DFB Egidius Braun and Sepp Herberger foundations, €750,000 had been raised shortly after the game for the victims of the flood disaster in Rhineland Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia.
A trio from the Black and Red club history celebrated their birthdays on Monday: Wilhelm 'Willi' Gierlich (1955-57 at Bayer 04) was 89 years old, Horst Knauf (1978-83) is 61. The third is Klaus Meul who played for the Werkself in the 1979 Bundesliga promotion team. The defender was 64 years old today. Bayer 04 wish all three: Many happy returns.
The Black and Reds kick off the new Bundesliga campaign today, Saturday 29 August (kick-off 15:30 CEST), away to newly promoted SV 07 Elversberg – and the Werkself will come up against a familiar face who is currently causing a stir at ‘Elv’. For an affordable and easy journey to the Saarland, the 1,600 travelling fans can still use the WERKSELFgo car-share platform. Today’s matchday news..
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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.
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The Bundesliga is back. On Saturday 29 August (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to SV 07 Elversberg on matchday 1 of the new season. Ahead of the clash at the URSAPHARM Arena on Kaiserlinde, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the importance of a successful start and the motivation of the league newcomers from the Saarland.
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On Friday afternoon, it will be decided which eight of the 36 participating teams Bayer 04 will face in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League in 2026/27. At the draw in Monaco (live on UEFA.com), the Werkself will be drawn against two teams from each of the four pots, allocated according to the UEFA club coefficient. A match against an opponent from the same country is ruled out, as is facing more than two clubs from the same national association. Here’s a look at the pots and potential opponents.
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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.
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