When Charles Aránguiz went off on 77 minutes supported by team doctor Dr. Philipp Ehrenstein and physio Sven Elsinger it did not look good and there was a certain anxiety in the air. However, worries about a possible serious injury to the midfielder fortunately proved to be unfounded. Aránguiz only suffered a bruised shin and he is able to join the Chile squad for the international break.
Bernd Leno has also received the green light to join the Germany squad after the goalkeeper was hit in the face from a point blank shot by Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Oscar Wendt. “I’m fine but everything was checked today as a precaution. I’m looking forward to joining the national squad on Monday and then there some important games coming up for Bayer 04,” said the keeper who produced an excellent display at Borussia Park.
Ömer Toprak, who had to go off just before the end of the game at Gladbach with all the substitutes used, has been given the all clear. The central defender has not suffered a serious muscle injury.
Today brings the first match of the season for the Werkself. Bayer 04 kick off the 2026/27 campaign today, Saturday 22 August, at 13:00 CEST with a first-round DFB Pokal tie away to third-tier side SV Wehen Wiesbaden. The 3,700 travelling fans can not only look forward to what will hopefully be a successful start to the season, but also now organise their journeys to Black and Reds games even more easily via the WERKSELFgo car-share platform. Meanwhile, following two defeats at the start of the league season, SV Wehen are hoping to spring a surprise in the DFB Pokal tie. Today’s matchday news.
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Carolin Simon is the new captain of the Bayer 04 women’s team. The full-back, who joined from Bayern Munich in the summer, will take over the captain’s armband for the 2026/27 season. Simon returned to Leverkusen in the summer after ten years away. The 33-year-old succeeds goalkeeper Friederike Repohl, who retired at the end of last season.
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Bayer 04 start the 2026/27 season away to third-division side SV Wehen Wiesbaden. Ahead of the DFB Pokal tie on Saturday 22 August (kick-off: 13:00 CEST), head coach Carles Martínez spoke at the pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon. The topics: anticipation, passion, the fans’ support – and the captaincy for the new season.
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SV Wehen Wiesbaden undoubtedly envisaged a different start to the new season. After two matchdays, the Hessen side currently sit bottom of the Liga 3 table. On Saturday 22 August (kick-off: 13:00 CEST), SVWW host the Werkself in the first round of the DFB Pokal at their home ground, the BRITA Arena. It was there, in this very competition a year ago, that the club almost pulled off a massive upset. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Farid Alfa-Ruprecht is going out on loan from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Bundesliga 2 side Hertha Berlin. The pacy winger will be at the Berlin club for one year.
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