It won't be an easy game for Leverkusen: The record champions from Bavaria are riding a wave of success since the change of coaches from Niko Kovac to Hansi Flick: The men from Munich have won all of their last four games under the new coach – with a goal difference of 16 to 0. "They have a lot of momentum at the moment," said Bayer 04 coach Peter Bosz at the pre-match press conference before adding: "That makes the game very interesting for us. We want to get a result in Munich and I think that's possible." To achieve that, his players have to perform as a team and each individual "produce his best level".
Bosz will not be able to call on long-term absentees Mitchell Weiser and Joel Pohjanpalo and it remains to be seen whether Daley Sinkgraven and Kai Havertz will be in the squad. Both took part in full training on Thursday. "We'll see today how they've dealt with yesterday’s session and what happens in the final pre-match training. Then we'll decide who we take to Munich," said the Werkself coach.
One key question ahead of the game: Who can stop Bayern's in-form striker Robert Lewandowski? Bayer 04 defender Sven Bender knows how the Poland international plays from their time together at Borussia Dortmund (2010 – 14). Tomorrow's opponents played together for four seasons at BVB. "It could be an advantage as he knows Lewandowski very well. Of course, he's carried on developing since then. But he's not a completely new player," said Bosz who is looking to stop the Bayern central striker "as a team".
During the press conference, the Werkself coach spoke about possible transfers. According to reports in the media, the Argentinian Exequiel Palacios is set to be a new signing for the Werkself. Bosz: "It's almost December and this subject starts again. It's the first question of that type I've been asked and in the coming months there will be lots of questions about lots of players. I can only say: Good players are always welcome here."
The Golden Boy Top 100 traditionally lists Europe’s most promising young players. In the latest update, published to mark the start of the new season, four current Werkself players – alongside loanee Francis Onyeka – feature on the list. This means Bayer 04 have the most players in contention of any Bundesliga club.
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Goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe will continue to play for Bayer 04 Leverkusen next season. The loan of the Germany U23 international, who joined from Liverpool in the winter, has been extended by a further year.
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The Bayer 04 delegation, led by Fernando Carro, CEO, concluded their multi-day trip to Brazil with a visit to the community-based organisation Bola Pra Frente in Rio de Janeiro – founded by former Werkself player Jorginho. During the visit, Bayer 04 committed to extending support for the Bola Pra Frente project for a further five years. In addition, Jorginho, a member of the Brazil 1994 World Cup-winning squad, was named Bayer 04’s second official club legend. With the visit to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the club has strengthened the relationships built up over the years in one of Bayer 04’s most important international markets.
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Ten years after retiring as a player, Kristina Sundov is returning to the Bayer 04 Women’s team as assistant coach. The 39-year-old former Croatia international takes over from Remzi Kahraman, who has taken up a new challenge abroad. She has been given a contract to 30 June 2028.
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The training pitches at the BayArena are already buzzing with activity again, even before training officially begins next week. On Monday morning, a small group from the Werkself first-team squad completed a session lasting around an hour. Both new and familiar faces were present.
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