Rolfes on USA trip
Between euphoria after the win in Munich and anticipation ahead of the home game against Schalke 04: The last week without a competitive game in 2019 started with a 75-minute session on the training ground.
While the first team were working on the training ground at the BayArena under the guidance of head coach Peter Bosz on Monday, sporting director Simon Rolfes was in California on behalf of Bayer 04 Leverkusen. At the annual meeting of the management from different football and sports clubs, held at the Silicon Valley IT centre, the focus was on communication and the development of a modern approach to management. Rolfes was joined by Markus Krösche (RB Leipzig) and Hasan Salihamidzic (FC Bayern). And Rolfes' former team-mate Clemens Fritz was also there on behalf of Werder Bremen.
Spoiled for choice ahead of Schalke game
According to Bosz, all the recently injured players should be fit for the game against Schalke 04 (kick-off: 15.30 CET) on Saturday 7 December. That means Charles Aránguiz, Leon Bailey and Wendell – who were all taken off during the 2-1 victory in Munich – are all options for the clash with the Royal Blues.
Trio in Team of the Matchday
Following the 2-1 away win at the reigning champions of Germany, three Leverkusen players were named in the kicker Team of the Day: The sports journal picked out double goalscorer Bailey, captain Lars Bender and goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky. That was the second time the Finn has featured this season and for Bailey and Bender it was the first time. Only league leaders Borussia Mönchengladbach had greater representation on matchday 13 with five of their players making the kicker team. Hradecky and Bailey were also considered for the team of the day on the Sportschau TV programme. Six Bayer 04 protagonists made it into the BILD team of the day: Hradecky, Lars Bender, Aránguiz, Bailey, Kevin Volland plus coach Bosz.
Auction for a good cause
Monday saw the end of auctions for Bayer 04 shirts with braille. With the shirts of Karim Bellarabi and Julian Baumgartlinger, the highest bid was €277 for each of them. The goalkeeper shirt of Niklas Lomb went for €280. That brings the total raised to €4,210. The donations raised will be used to help the visually impaired who attend Werkself home matches.
Congratulations, Konstantinos!
Konstantinos Stafylidis today celebrates his 26th birthday. The left back played for Bayer 04 from 2012 to 2015. During that time the Greek player went on loan to PAOK Saloniki and Fulham. Stafylidis only played competitive games for Bayer 04 in 2013/2014 with one first-team appearance and eight for the reserves (one goal). Bayer 04 wish him a very happy birthday.
Related News
Bayer 04 - 07.10.2026
BA04 Football Academy Guangzhou visits Leverkusen
Exciting experiences and exclusive insights into the Werkself and the BayArena awaited the young footballers from the BA04 Football Academy Guangzhou in China during their visit to the Rhineland this week. As well as taking part in a joint training session with the Bayer 04 Football Academy, the youngsters marvelled at the Bundesliga club’s stadium during a guided tour. The highlight of the visit was a private press conference with former Bayer 04 striker Stefan Kießling, during which he shared tips from his own career with the young players. On Saturday afternoon, 10 October, the group will round off their visit by supporting the Werkself in the away match in Mainz.
Show more
Women - 06.10.2026
‘The standard is getting higher and higher: Junior Talent Day at Kurtekotten with 90 girls
Fun, games and promising talent: At the fourth Bayer 04 Junior Girls’ Talent Day at the Kurtekotten training centre, 90 football-mad girls had the chance to put themselves forward for the Werkself youth teams. During a 90-minute training session, children born between 2011 and 2019 had the chance to demonstrate their skills.
Show more
Sustainability - 05.10.2026
Interactive health checks, cancer screening and more: Health Day at the BayArena
Despite the international break, numerous Werkself fans turned up at the BayArena on Saturday 3 October. The occasion: Bayer 04, together with Bayer Vital and main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer, organised a Health Day. In the stadium’s Premium Lounge, guests listened to fascinating talks on the subject of cancer, featuring, amongst others, Bayer 04 record appearance holder Rüdiger Vollborn and former Werkself player Hans Sarpei. Afterwards, young and old alike enjoyed interactive stations such as a grip strength test and eye pupil test.
Show more
Women - 05.10.2026
Women: DFB Pokal Round of 16 tie scheduled
A cracker of a Round of 16 tie on a Sunday afternoon: The date has been set for the Bayer 04 women’s team clash with Bayern Munich in the DFB Pokal. As announced by the German Football Association (DFB) on Monday morning, the Leverkusen women face the holders on Sunday, 1 November, at 15:00 CET.
Show more
