The anniversary-laden clash of the '04' teams is also the last home game of the season for the Bosz Boys. In between the three cheers in and around the BayArena it will be important for the Werkself to remain focused – in the race for a Champions League finish only a win will do against the Royal Blues. After the swashbuckling success against Eintracht Frankfurt, the Werkself are looking to get stuck in again against the team currently 15th in the table and pick up another three points. We bring you 04 facts on #B04S04.
Without doubt, the first half against Eintracht Frankfurt was a performance that will never be forgotten and not just by fans of the Black and Reds. The last time a team scored six goals in one half was 41 years ago – then (in the historic 12-0 win for Gladbach against Dortmund in April 1978) Bayer 04 were still in the second division. The Eintracht game once again underlined a particular strength of the Werkself: Early goals. This season the ball has found the back of the opposition net 24 times in the first 30 minutes – only FC Bayern have scored one more than that. Against Frankfurt it was even 04 goals – a record for the season!
Talking about early birds. The leader of the Werkself flock is Kai Havertz. Our number 29 scored as early as the second minute against Frankfurt – that was the seventh time this season the 19-year-old has opened the scoring for his team – more than any other Bundesliga pro. With all of his nine goals in the second half of the season, Havertz has put the Black and Reds in front. Above all in the closing stages of the campaign, the youngster seems to be revving up: With the exception of the Nürnberg game, the Germany international has scored in each of the last five league games. With a total of five. Hats off to the lad!
On and off the pitch, Julian Brandt is a congenial partner for Kai Havertz. And the Werkself number 10 has also had his foot down over the past few weeks – recently he has not only scored twice in succession but also provided an assist in the Frankfurt game that is his 13th in the current second half of the season. That means the 22-year-old can break a record in the remaining two league games. Since records have been kept, only one player has provided more assists in the second half of a season: in 1994/95 Andreas Herzog laid on 14 goals in a Werder Bremen shirt.
This will be the 70th meeting of the Black and Reds and the Royal Blues in the Bundesliga. The Werkself have won 31 times (20 draws, 18 defeats) – Bayer 04 have only won more often against VfB Stuttgart (36). And from a Schalke perspective, the Werkself are not at all a favourite opponent as the team from Gelsenkirchen only has a poorer points return against Bayern Munich. However, beware! In the last three home games against Schalke, the Werkself have only picked up one point (2015/16:1-1) and most recently there have been two defeats (2017/18:0-2; 2016/17:1-4). It is certainly time for a change. But FC Schalke are now doing well on the road: Since Huub Stevens has returned as coach, the Royal Blues are unbeaten away and the last three away games have produced seven points (1-0 at Hannover, 1-1 at Nürnberg and 4-2 at Dortmund) and that has secured their top-flight status. Schalke have picked up 17 of their 31 points on the road – as a percentage that is the best return of all Bundesliga teams this term (55 per cent). However, the Werkself should not be put off given two home wins in succession. Particularly in view of the fact Huub Stevens has not secured a win in his last three games against the Werkself (as coach at Schalke 04, Stuttgart and Hoffenheim). A 04th time in succession is a desired target for Bayer 04. And it would come at just the right time…
Match information:
Previous result: 2-1 (A)
Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Oberaspach)
Weather forecast: 11 degrees, rain
Live TV broadcaster: Sky
With seven points, Mainz 05 are currently joint seventh, level on points with sixth-placed Bayer 04. In today’s head-to-head clash (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself must be particularly wary of the clinical Mainz strike duo. For Leverkusen fans who have left it to the last minute, there are still a few tickets available from the matchday ticket office. Those following the Black and Reds from home, on the other hand, have a choice: RTL is broadcasting the match on free-to-air TV, and Werkself Radio is also offering the expert commentary of former Bayer 04 player Falko Götz. Today’s matchday news.
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Back from the international break: On Saturday 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to Mainz 05. Ahead of the clash at the MEWA ARENA against the side currently sixth in the table, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the team’s work during the extended international break. The Spaniard also commented, when asked, on a number of squad matters, including Ibrahim Maza.
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FSV Mainz 05 went into the international break on the back of an away win at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Currently sixth in the table, the Rheinhessen side – who have been impressive on the road – now aim to continue their good start to the Bundesliga campaign at home when they face the Werkself on Saturday, 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). In terms of squad selection, Urs Fischer once again has more options at his disposal. Up front, the Mainz coach is likely to continue relying on what is currently the league’s most successful strike partnership. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Thomas Eichin has been working for Bayer 04 for six years – as Director of Professional Teams since July 2023 – and has contributed to the successful development of our club in many areas. Today, Friday 9 October, Freiburg-born Eichin is celebrating his 60th birthday. We wish him a very happy birthday.
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Together with his family, friends and close associates, Bayer 04 Leverkusen bid farewell to Peter Hermann. The club’s long-serving assistant manager passed away on 19 September following a serious illness. Today, Thursday 8 October, Bayer 04 held an event attended by around 200 invited guests to commemorate Peter Hermann’s legacy. Representatives from the DFB and the other professional clubs where Hermann worked paid their respects to him at the BayArena.
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