
They are the poster boys of Germany's top flight and week by week provide football fans across the whole of Germany with reasons to celebrate and also be frustrated: the Stars of the Bundesliga. The TV broadcaster Sky is running a short documentary series of the same name. A player is profiled in each episode and this week’s programme focuses on Werkself playmaker Florian Wirtz.
The 18-year-old became the youngest Bundesliga player to clock up 50 appearances a few weeks ago, he won the Fritz Walter gold-medal in 2020 and, at the age of 17 years and 24 days, he remains the second youngest Bundesliga goalscorer of all time. The profile of our number 27 will be broadcast this Thursday from 21.00 on Sky Sport Bundesliga 1.
The Thursday morning training session for the Werkself was watched by a familiar face from European football: Kaspar Hjulmand, head coach of the Denmark team since August 2020, attended the session at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium in the company of Keld Bordinggaard. The head of the coaching academy at Bayer 04 was Hjulmand's assistant coach at Mainz 05 from July 2014 to February 2015.

What do you miss most about Ecuador? Who was your football hero during your childhood? How do you most like spending your free time? And what's the correct pronunciation of your name? 04 questions from Werkself fans were recently put to our young defender Piero Hincapie. HERE is the video.
In part six of the 'NACHGEFRAGT' questions on YouTube, Werkself players answer the question of which is the best stadium they have played in to date. The answers from Florian Wirtz and Co. are HERE.

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.
Show more
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.
Show more
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.
Show more
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.
Show more
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.
Show more