On Friday morning, the Dutchman was first coming to terms with the match at BSC Young Boys the day before: "I watched the full 90 minutes of the game once again. I always do that. Then I discuss my conclusions either with the whole team or with individual players – today I spoke to everybody. We weren't happy with the first half, the reaction from the team after the break was something that every coach would want. There you could see: Things can change quickly in football."
According to the 57-year-old, the most important thing now is to focus on the away game at FC Augsburg. FCA have lost six of their last seven league matches. As a comparison: There were only five defeats in the first 14 matches. "Augsburg also need the points. So, two teams are playing each other and both definitely want to win," declared Peter Bosz ahead of the clash with his predecessor on the Leverkusen bench, FCA coach Heiko Herrlich.
As in Bern, the Dutchman will have to manage without his number one keeper Lukas Hradecky against the Bavarian Swabians. As the Finn was unable to train on Friday due to continuing problems with his heel, he is not an option for the game at FCA. Lars Bender is again ruled out due to injury, as is Karim Bellarabi. But the winger has now returned to training away from the squad following his muscle injury.
Mitchell Weiser (muscle injury) returned to full training for the first time on Friday. Central defender Sven Bender was back on the training ground several days ago. The 31-year-old could be back on the pitch in Augsburg the first time in 2021.
Should the experienced defender be available then he will, together with his teammates, have to be aware of Augsburg playing on the break. Bosz explained that element: "They often try to counter-attack. But against top teams they have more often applied pressure further up the pitch." Which tactics Herrlich will want to use against his former club was countered by his opposite number on Friday: "We are prepared for the opposition and we want to win the game. It's down to us to produce a good performance on Sunday."
Match information:
Broadcasters: DAZN and Werks11 Radio
Referee: The match officials will be announced on the day of the game
A special visit to the BayArena: 222 members from volunteer fire brigades in Leverkusen, the Rheinisch-Bergisch district and the Oberbergisch district watched the Werkself’s 2–0 home win over Slovenian champions NK Celje live in the stadium. Bayer 04 had invited them to the 2026/27 Europa League opener as a thank-you for their tremendous dedication. They watched the match together in Block F4.
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The Bayer 04 U19s have extended their winning run with a fifth consecutive victory on Matchday 5 of the DFB Youth League’s preliminary round. Coach Patrick Greveraars’ side secured a 3–2 (2–1) win in their match against second-placed FC Viktoria Köln, with Burak Kir and Nebe Domnic scoring for the hosts in the first half before captain Ben Hawighorst found the net after the break.
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Bayer 04 will have to manage without defender Guéla Doué for the time being. The Ivory Coast international sustained a muscle injury to his right calf during the final Werkself training session yesterday ahead of the Europa League clash with Slovenian champions NK Celje.
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For the first time since reaching the final against AS Roma (2–2, first leg 2–0) in May 2024, Bayer 04 are playing another home match in the UEFA Europa League – and they will be wearing their new European kit. On Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the BayArena will welcome Slovenian champions NK Celje, who appointed a new coach this week following a mixed start to the season. Under the slogan “40 Years Across Europe. Still Creating History.”, the Black and Reds now aim to add the next chapter to their European history, which has seen so much success in recent years. Bayer 04 fans can follow the match on free-to-air TV on RTL, as well as on Sky and Werkself Radio. The matchday news.
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European football returns to the BayArena: Bayer 04 host Slovenian champions NK Celje on matchday 1 in the group stage of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. Ahead of the match on Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), head coach Carles Martínez and midfielder Aleix Garcia spoke at the pre-match press conference. The focus was primarily on the great anticipation surrounding the competition and the clear objectives for it – and, given the circumstances, on a last-minute change to the opposition line-up.
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