"Not many opponents have taken an attacking approach against us this season. But when you play top teams like Gladbach or Dortmund and both teams want to win then it will be an open and attractive game. And I'm expecting one like that against Leipzig on Saturday," said the Dutchman. His expectation is also supported by the stats: The team from Saxony have the best home record in the Bundesliga this season going into matchday 19 with 22 points from nine games – the Werkself have 17 points from nine away games (like Stuttgart) and are only surpassed by league leaders FC Bayern (19 from nine). So strength at home meets strength on the road.
Both teams are currently on course to qualify for the Champions League but the pressure from below is growing ever stronger as Bosz recognises. "A number of teams are fighting for a place in the top four this season. But the most important thing is that we pick up points ourselves. We have to try and get on a good run and win our games. Clocking up points – that's the most important thing."
Against Leipzig, who Bosz believes have better positional play this season compared with recent years, the 57-year-old has to cope with the absence of several players. In addition to the long-term injured Julian Baumgartlinger, who this week underwent a successful cruciate operation, Santiago Arias and Paulinho, Mitchell Weiser and Sven Bender are also sidelined. Nadiem Amiri is not an option due to his Covid-19 infection nor is new signing Jeremie Frimpong, who is currently in self-isolation following his arrival in Germany. And Lars Bender is not yet available – "he hasn't trained with the team as yet and will not be in the squad for the game against Leipzig,"
In contrast, Exequiel Palacios has made further progress in full training over the last two weeks . The coach was unwilling to say whether he would be ready for the weekend. "We have to observe him day by day and also wait for the final training session."
In spite of the number of players sidelined – Bosz does not want to complain about the situation. "If I look round then I can see that other clubs have more players missing," he said. This was on the cards due to the crowded fixture lists in a short space of time and the coronavirus pandemic. "It's extreme but we have to deal with it. And up to now we've done well compensating for the absent players. Therefore, I'm assuming we'll also be able to do that against Leipzig."
A simple approach to sport with games, fun and a highlight at the end: Bayer 04 organised a very special training session for 40 participants aged between six and 27 in cooperation with the Football Association of the Middle Rhine (FVM). At the day of action for women and girls with disabilities at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre, many of the participants gained their first experience of football.
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On Saturday, 28 March, the lights will go out again at the BayArena from 20:30 pm to 21:30. As in previous years, Bayer 04 once again take part in the WWF Earth Hour campaign under the motto "We're switching off" as the club wants to set a collective example for more climate and environmental protection together with people, cities and companies around the world.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen are bringing back Kerim Alajbegovic, who joined Red Bull Salzburg in the summer of 2025. The Bundesliga club activated the buy-back option in the contract with the Bosnia international, who has enjoyed great success at the Austrian top-flight club since the start of the current season. Alajbegovic moved to Salzburg from the Leverkusen U19s last year. The 1.86-metre forward has signed a five-year contract at Leverkusen with a start date of 1 July 2026.
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Less than a year ago, Kerim Alajbegovic moved from the Bayer 04 U19s to Austrian top-flight club FC Red Bull Salzburg. The forward’s development since then has been impressive. In 36 matches, including in the UEFA Europa League, the 18-year-old has scored 14 goals. In the summer, Alajbegovic, now a Bosnia international, will return to Leverkusen - and thus not only achieve the next milestone still early in his career, but also enrich the Werkself squad with his footballing versatility and determination.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with forward Nathan Tella ahead of schedule. The versatile 26-year-old, who can be deployed as a right winger, false nine or left winger, has penned a new contract to 30 June 2031. Tella joined the Werkself from Championship club Southampton in 2023. His previous contract ran to the summer of 2028.
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