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
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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