On paper, the chances of the Black and Reds securing victory number 04 of the season are not so bad: The Werkself have only lost three of the 20 league meetings with Hoffenheim – Bayer 04 do not have a similar win ratio against any other team in the league (70 per cent) and an equally high points average (2.25 points). And: Hoffenheim have not lost more often to any other Bundesliga team (14 times, as against Bayern Munich). Moreover: The Werkself have scored 43 goals (conceded 20) in their 20 games against TSG – on average more than against any other club in the Bundesliga. But beware: TSG have won two of their three victories at the BayArena with the last one two years ago in October 2016. That's definitely enough for the time being.
A home win would be really good after the games against Borussia Dortmund and Hannover 96. As it stands, the current return of 04 points from 04 home games is the worst since 04×04 years (2002/03). In addition, the Werkself have already conceded nine goals at the BayArena – there have never been that many in the first 04 home games before now. All the better, that Heiko Herrlich has never lost against Julian Nagelsmann as a coach (one win, one draw). And he has never lost against TSG.
The matchday hashtag #B04TSG has been in much demand at the Bayer 04 HQ this week. The Hoffenheim matchday is a double home matchday for the Black and Reds. Or put another way: Two matches against Hoffenheim. In addition to the Werkself fixture, the Bayer 04 women's team are playing Hoffenheim in the women's Bundesliga on Saturday (kick-off: 12.30 CET, Ulrich Haberland Stadium). The Bayer 04 women will need maximum support from the Bayer 04 fans against the team currently lying in fifth position. For that reason, the west side of the BayArena will be open from midday. And it will certainly be good for us if Hoffenheim go home empty-handed.
The recent upturn for the Werkself is closely associated with one name: Karim Bellarabi. After a difficult season last term the Werkself number 38 has rediscovered his previous strengths. We'll be happy if Karim – as Heiko Herrlich announced – "can show everybody that he still hungry": He has an impressive return from the last four games with six goals and two assists.
Julian Brandt has also been impressive. The Man of the Match from the Gladbach game also made a powerful contribution to the match at Bremen with a goal and an assist. It was also the first goal of the season for the Werkself number 10. And now one for the history books. The 22-year-old has scored at least one goal in all of his six seasons in the Bundesliga – no other Bayer 04 player has achieved that before their 25th birthday (Herbert Wass and Gonzalo Castro). Moreover: After the game Jule will be calling into the Schwadbud: He will be at the #W11Fantalk, where he will be analysing the 90 minutes against Hoffenheim with stadium announcer Tobias Ufer and others. Do you have any questions for the Werkself number 10? If so, submit them via Facebook or Twitter (using the hashtag #W11Fantalk). It starts around 18.00 CET broadcast live on bayer04.de plus on our Facebook page.
At this point it is worth saying tickets are still available for the game. And information for everybody: As with every game there is the official live text commentary on bayer04.de and via our smart phone apps. Anybody wanting the stadium atmosphere with commentary (in German) there is the Werkself Radio. Before, during and after the game there is up-to-date information on the official social media chance of Bayer 04 – Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – including line-ups, photos and the most important events during the game. The matchday hashtag is #B04TSG. The target is: Join together for the 04 win of the season. Come on, the Werkself!
Less than a year ago, Kerim Alajbegovic moved from the Bayer 04 U19s to Austrian top-flight club FC Red Bull Salzburg. The forward’s development since then has been impressive. In 36 matches, including in the UEFA Europa League, the 18-year-old has scored 14 goals. In the summer, Alajbegovic, now a Bosnia international, will return to Leverkusen - and thus not only achieve the next milestone still early in his career, but also enrich the Werkself squad with his footballing versatility and determination.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with forward Nathan Tella ahead of schedule. The versatile 26-year-old, who can be deployed as a right winger, false nine or left winger, has penned a new contract to 30 June 2031. Tella joined the Werkself from Championship club Southampton in 2023. His previous contract ran to the summer of 2028.
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Nathan Tella has extended his contract with Bayer 04 to 2031. In an interview with Werkself TV, the 26-year-old talks about fulfilling his dreams, his positive outlook on life and his goals for the future. He answers the questions in English - all except the last one, which he addresses directly to the fans...
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In the final international break in the current 2025/26 campaign, Bayer 04 striker Patrik Schick with Czechia will be battling for a place at the World Cup. Meanwhile, national teams that have already qualified, include other Werkself players called up, are involved in friendlies in the build-up to the World Cup. Read on for an overview of the Leverkusen internationals and their match dates.
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The Werkself kicked off the final international break of the current season on Monday morning with the first of three open training sessions this week. While eleven Bayer 04 players will be away on international duty in the coming days, the other players will be working together in Leverkusen. The next challenge in the Bundesliga awaits on Saturday, 4 April (kick-off: 15:30 CEST) with the home game against VfL Wolfsburg.
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