#finallyRED
The club and fans are reviving a tradition to make it happen: ‘Finally Red’ – originally launched by the NK12 Fan Club. Since the Cup Final in 2009 the home end has regularly been turned into a sea of deep red. Eight years later, the intention is for every home supporters area at the BayArena to be in that colour. That’s why the fan organisations and the club are calling on everyone to wear red for Saturday’s derby at home to FC Köln. Replica shirts, pullovers, T-shirts, shirts or jackets – everybody will recognise support for the team straight away: For Bayer 04! For our SVB!
Bayer 04 lead in derby stats
Bayer 04 and FC Köln meet for Rhine derby number 60 in the Bundesliga. The previous 59 games have seen Bayer 04 win significantly more often than Köln: The Werkself have won 22 and the neighbours from Cologne 14 with 23 matches ending all square. The Werkself can extend that positive stat on Saturday basede on a particularly good record at home. Leverkusen have won 17 of the 32 matches with ten ending in draws.
Latest derby since 1988
It's a long time since the Werkself have played the team from Cologne so late in the season. To be exact, the last time was in May 1988 with the 2-2 draw ensuring the relegation of FC Köln.
Unique in the league
This fixture is unique in the whole of the Bundesliga. The BayArena and the Rhein Energie Stadium are just 14.6 km apart as the crow flies. No other two grounds are as close together.
Ever-present Bernd Leno
Bernd Leno has played every minute in the previous 32 matches this season. He shares the most time on the pitch with seven other ever-presents in the league and they are all goalkeepers. In addition to Bernd Leno, only Yann Sommer (Gladbach), Ralf Fährmann (Schalke), Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Marwin Hitz (Augsburg), Rune Jarstein (Hertha) and Alexander Schwolow (Freiburg) have played every minute between the posts
Höger and Risse return to Leverkusen
The current FC Köln players Marco Höger and Marcel Risse started their careers at Leverkusen. Marco Höger played for Werkself youth teams from 2001 to 2005. His team-mate Marcel Risse also played for Bayer 04 youth sides winning the U19 German title in 2007 and the youth cup a year later in 2008. Höger could play against the Werkself on Saturday but Risse is unlikely to be in the squad as he is still recovering from a torn cruciate.
Bus stops changed
The stops for buses to Bergisch Gladbach and Mathildenhof after the game have been changed. Click here for new arrangements >> (PDF).
Live action on the Live app
The Bayer 04 live app, voted as one of the most innovative apps by a large app blog, will be full of derby information on Saturday. You can download the app to follow the Werkself home game wherever you are at bit.ly/b04live.
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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