He deserves it: Florian Wirtz is in the vote for the Bundesliga Player of the Month on the popular football game FIFA 22. The Bayer 04 midfielder made his mark in September with three goals and two assists – his two goals in the Europa League are not counted. you can vote for Flo HERE.
The other nominees are Leroy Sané, Joshua Kimmich (both Bayern Munich), Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund), Christian Günter (SC Freiburg) and Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig).
The online portal transfermarkt.de has updated the market value of 124 Bundesliga players. The Werkself (+ €34 million) have posted the second-highest increase of all the Bundesliga clubs – behind Borussia Dortmund (+ €38 million). The biggest percentage increase (76.9 per cent) was achieved by central defender Odilon Kossounou, who was able to increase his market value from 13 to 23 million euros. Youngster Florian Wirtz is now worth €65 million after the latest adjustments to market values and he is now one of top five valuable German players according to transfermarkt.de .
Wirtz again and again: The former Germany coach Berti Vogts is “excited” by Leverkusen’s exceptional talent and he predicts the 18-year-old will have a “great career.” Wirtz has “even more potential than international players like Leroy Sané, Serge Gnabry and Timo Werner,” Vogts wrote in his column on the news website t-online. The 74-year-old hopes the Germany coach Hansi Flick will give the offensive player “lots of time on the pitch and plenty of support over the coming months and years.” Then, Vogts added, Wirtz will have an outstanding career.
The derby between FC Köln and Bayer 04 will be played in front of a full house for the first time since December 2019. As announced by the neighbours from Cologne on Thursday, spectators will again be allowed to fill the 50,000 seats at the Müngersdorfer Stadium. Approval has been given by the health authority. This is contingent on only the vaccinated and recovered having access to the Arena. Excluded from this rule are children up to the age of 16 and non-vaccinated persons with a medical certificate. Away tickets will go on sale next week.
After the recovery session at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium, the Bayer 04 Women will drop in on the fan flea market on Saturday between 10.00 and 15.00 CEST and join the visitors. In a repeat of last year the stands will be set up on the piazza by the West entrance to the BayArena. Access to the flea market is via Block F (North-West). All proceeds will go to the Leverkusen Community Foundation.
The former Bayer 04 player Daniel Bierofka, who made 98 appearances (15 goals) for the Werkself between 2002 and 2005 has been relieved of his duties as coach of the Austrian second division club Wacker Innsbruck. The 42-year-old took charge in August 2020 and he just avoided relegation last term. In the league, Bierofka’s team suffered a third defeat in succession on Sunday. “Unfortunately, the results haven’t gone right in the past few weeks. After intensive discussions between Daniel and I, we have reached the conclusion that a coach of coaches is necessary at this time, ” said Wacker sporting director Alfred Hörtnagl.
Bayer 04 wish Lucas Alario many happy returns of his 29th birthday. The striker is currently in Argentina with Werkself teammate Exequiel Palacios on international duty. In the night from Thursday to Friday there was a goalless draw for the Albiceleste against Paraguay. The Leverkusen duo are back in action on Monday, 11 October (kick-off: 01.30 CEST), in the game against Uruguay.
Also celebrating this Friday is former Bayer 04 coach Ralf Minge who is now 61. Minge was at Leverkusen for five years (2000 to 2005). Today he is the sporting director at third division Hallescher FC. Happy birthday.
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..
Show more
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.
Show more
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.
Show more
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.
Show more
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.
Show more
