The team in third place have a two-point lead over the Black and Reds, currently lying fifth in the table with 50 points. “We can take an important step forward tomorrow and we’re looking forward to the challenge,” declared head coach Peter Bosz at today’s virtual press conference. As with the 4-1 away win at Werder Bremen, the Dutchman has to make do without his captain Lars Bender (foot injury) in Mönchengladbach.
Striker Kevin Volland returned to training for the first time this week after his ankle ligament injury. But tomorrow’s game has come too early for him,” said Bosz. “We’ll have to wait and see when he can get back.” All the other players are available.
Werkself head coach Bosz said Mönchengladbach have, up to now, had an “impressive season. They’re a good team.” However, the 56-year-old is banking on his team’s strengths against the in-form side under coach Marco Rose. Bosz added: “We’re up for it. We were before the coronavirus pandemic and we are now. We were good against Bremen and our positional play was better in the second half.”
In preparation for tomorrow’s clash, the Bayer 04 group underwent the obligatory coronavirus tests this morning and a training session is on the agenda this afternoon. The players, coaches and staff will then return to the Leverkusen team hotel.
Kai Havertz, the scorer of two goals at Werder Bremen, is obviously set to play. After the last game, Bosz talked about the 20-year-old, saying he “didn’t have his best game.” Asked about that statement, the head coach today said: “I always try to get the best out of my players. I know Kai can do better. I always expect the best from my players and if there is room for improvement, then perhaps I’m more critical than journalists. If you have the quality that Kai has then you shouldn’t be easily satisfied – neither him nor me as the coach.”
Match information:
Broadcasters: Sky and Werkself Radio (bayer04.de)
Referee: The referee will be announced on the day of the match
Kicking off the new season with a fresh look: Bayer 04, in collaboration with sportswear manufacturer New Balance, has unveiled the official kit for Leverkusen’s e-Sports players for the coming season. The jersey is now available from the Bayer 04 online shop and the Fanwelt.
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Paulo Sergio and Bayer 04 have enjoyed close ties since the Werkself training camp in his native Brazil last summer. The club legend is in charge of the Bayer 04 Soccer Academy, which opened in the summer of 2025, and he has also been at this year’s training camp in the Weimarer Land. As well as interacting with the many fans who travelled to the camp, the 1994 World Cup winner used the time to plan the next steps for the Academy together with club officials. In an interview with bayer04.de, Sergio spoke about the project’s future development, the upcoming visit by young Academy players to Leverkusen, and plans for the coming months in Germany and Brazil.
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A round-up of the Werkself training camp in the Weimarer Land, all in one place: in our daily blog you’ll find all the insights and updates from the day. Day five (Thursday 6 August) is as follows: The squad have the final open session of the training camp in the morning. After lunch, there will be a team event.
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A round-up of the Werkself training camp in the Weimarer Land, all in one place: in our daily blog you’ll find all the insights and updates from the day. Day four (Wednesday 5 August) is all about training. The day begins with a gruelling open training session – new signing Miguel Gutiérrez also takes part. A second session follows in the afternoon, this time behind closed doors.
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At the training camp in the Weimarer Land region, Bayer 04 head coach Carles Martínez and his long-standing assistant Pol García talk about their first few weeks with the Werkself, their expectations of their own work, the coaching staff and the squad, as well as the style of football they want the team to play. They emphasise the importance of a winning mentality within the team, comment on cultural and personal differences in the world of football, and outline their goals for the coming season...
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