The team under head coach Peter Bosz have set a record thanks to the 4-0 win against Slavia Prague on Thursday night: The 21 goals scored is the highest number by a German club in the group stages of the Europa League. Next opponents in the Bundesliga from Hoffenheim also sailed through the group stage of the competition. TSG picked up 16 out of a possible 18 points with a goal difference of 17 for and 2 against – the second best group stage for a German club in the history of the Europa League.
The team led by coach Sebastian Hoeneß clocked up a 4-1 victory over KAA Gent. "I watched the game. But I think they'll have other players on the pitch against us," said Bosz on Friday ahead of the clash with the team currently lying tenth in the league. "Either way, we are prepared to face a team who will make life difficult for us."
Following the successful conclusion to the Europa League group stage, there were a small number of players on the training ground for the Friday session. The majority of the squad were recovering in the facilities at the BayArena. Lucas Alario and Mitchell Weiser are back in training. "If they train tomorrow then they could be an option for the squad," Bosz explained.
After three double fixture weeks in succession, there are now three matches within six days before the start of the short winter break. Bosz: "The match rhythm is tiring but the players are fresh. That was shown in the stats from yesterday: We ran a lot, sprinted a lot. That's one of our strengths. Therefore, we have to try to control the workload."
Eight wins and a draw: The return from the latest games is impressive – as is the Bundesliga table. The Werkself are currently second, one point behind Bayern Munich. In spite of the run of wins, Bosz does not have to put his foot down. "The players don't need me to avoid being euphoric – they do that by themselves," said the 56-year-old. "We know things can turn around very quickly. We are calm, doing our work and continue to be critical of ourselves." This approach appears to be producing results at the moment…
Match information:
Broadcasters: Sky and Werks11 Radio
Referee: The match officials will be announced on the day of the game
A fresh look for the BayArena: The Bayer 04 stadium will have new seating in the form of folding seats for the 2026/27 campaign that will ensure significantly improved seating comfort and simplified movement within the rows of seats. As part of routine replacement after 17 years, fans of the Werkself were able to purchase the existing seats, used to witness the first German league title in the club's history. In addition, a large proportion of the seats will be donated to charitable projects, primarily in the local region. Bayer 04 fans can look forward to new, functional folding seats for the season opener at the beginning of August - still in the club colours of black and red, of course. A glimpse at the BayArena during the refurbishment.
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On Monday evening, 8 June, around 250 people came to the Bürgerhaus Baumberg at the invitation of Bayer 04 to find out details of the new plans for the campus on Alfred-Nobel-Straße at an information event. More compact, greener and with many advantages for Monheim am Rhein - those are the aims. There were lively discussions for around three hours and some misunderstandings were cleared up.
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Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
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When Malik Tillman arrived at Bayer 04 Leverkusen from PSV Eindhoven last summer, he did more than just add attacking midfield strength to the team — he reconnected the club with a unique and understated American lineage that stretches back more than three decades.
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Bayer 04 are away to third-division club SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal. That was the outcome of the draw on Saturday night, 6 June, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. The Werkself first round tie will be played between 21 and 24 August. The exact date has yet to be finalised.
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