Werkself fans can follow the Bundesliga match against the Foals live on free TV: Sky is broadcasting the Saturday multi-match programme free-to-air on Sky Sport News HD. The individual matches are pay-per-view. In addition, Werkself Radio will be reporting the action on the pitch; bayer04.de will provide live text commentary on the website as usual.
From 15.00 CET, you can join us in the build-up to the match at the Schwadbud. In the two and a half hour show, we have some exciting interviews, look at current issues and the we will hand over to Dirk Maverick who will sing the anthem before the game. Then Cedric and Niko from Werkself Radio will take over. All that is available on the Bayer 04 YouTube channel. Switch on and join in to enjoy a Black and Red Bundesliga afternoon with ‘Spieltag – Die Show’.
All teams in Bundesliga 1 and 2 will hold a minute’s silence ahead of kick-off on matchday 27 to remember the victims of the coronavirus pandemic. In addition, all the teams will wear black arm bands. “The spread of coronavirus has already claimed a lot of lives worldwide. German professional football will come together on the next two matchdays to express their condolence,” said DFL CEO Christian Seifert.
In Monday’s restart in Bremen, the Werkself carried on where they left off before the season was suspended. With the 4-1 win, the team under head coach Peter Bosz extended their terrific record in the second half of the season – 7 wins, 1 draw, 1 defeat – and the Werkself have already clocked up a club record 22 points in the second half of a Bundesliga season. And the Werkself only scored 26 goals in the first 9 games in the second half of the season once before back in 1999/2000.
Rudi Völler, sporting managing director Bayer 04, wants the Bundesliga 2020/21 season to be played in front of spectators again. “I hope, like many others – even if it’s still a bit early –, that a few spectators might be allowed next season,” said the 60-year-old to the ZDF Morgenmagazin programme. Perhaps the stadiums might not be full. Everything depends on now the coronavirus develops.
During the coronavirus pandemic, Völler is above all expecting the players to have “a sensible basic discipline.” The players have to be ready, “to make sacrifices.”
Two Werkself players have made it into the ‘FIFA Team of the season so far’! Lukas Hradecky achieved a 91 rating, Kai Havertz a 94 in ninth place in the best Bundesliga players in the TOTSSF. Both cards are immediately available on at FIFA Ultimate 20.
A 1988 UEFA Cup winner, a Barcelona player and the 2008 Player of the Year in Switzerland today celebrate their birthdays. The former Werkself star striker Bum-kun Cha is 67. He played for Bayer 04 Leverkusen from 1983 to 1989 scoring 62 goals in 214 appearances. The Chile international Arturo Vidal is now 33 years old. Vidal played for Bayer 04 from 2007 to 2011 and netted 21 times in 144 appearances. He is now a defensive midfield player at Barcelona. Also a year older at the age of 35 is Tranquillo Barnetta, who wore the Black and Red shirt from 2004 to 2012. The midfielder scored 26 times in 229 games. Bayer 04 wishes all the birthday boys: Happy birthday!
Today sees Bayer 04 go head-to-head with their next direct rivals in the race for Champions League qualification (kick-off 15:30 CEST). Opponents Stuttgart are currently fifth in the table, level on points with the Werkself but one place below them due to a three-goal inferior goal difference. The Black and Reds' record at Bad Cannstatt tells a clearer story: they've not lost at VfB for over 16 years. One important factor in securing what would be three crucial points away from home is Leverkusen's strength on the counter-attack. Whilst Stuttgart are also extremely dangerous going forward, they will be without their captain. Today’s matchday news.
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Another showdown in the race for the Champions League places takes place in Swabia: on Saturday 9 May (kick-off 15:30 CEST), the Werkself visit VfB Stuttgart, who are only behind on goal difference. In his pre-match press conference, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about confidence, excitement and mentality.
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Reinforcement in attack: Bayer 04 Leverkusen have secured the transfer of striker Maja Sternad from Bundesliga rivals SV Werder Bremen. The 22-year-old has signed a contract until 30 June 2028.
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It's a thrilling situation: as the season draws to a close, Stuttgart and Bayer 04 are heading into the home stretch almost neck and neck. After 32 games, with 17 wins, seven draws and eight defeats each, both teams are on 58 points. Even in terms of goals scored, VfB and the Werkself are level on 66. The Black and Reds have conceded just three fewer goals (43) than their rivals (46), which is why they sit one place behind fourth-placed Leverkusen. This Saturday, 9 May (kick-off: 15.30 CEST), the two teams go head to head at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with full-back Arthur ahead of schedule. The Werkself have agreed a new deal with the Brazilian to 30 June 2031. The 23-year-old was previously under contract to the summer of 2028.
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