In a repeat of the derby in the 2016/17 run-in, Werkself fans will welcome the team coach at the ground. The supporters will gather along Bismarckstraße from 13.45 CET to greet the Bayer 04 team bus on the final stretch into the underground car park at the BayArena.
We are all currently following the terrible events in Ukraine. For that reason, the derby matchday at BayArena provides the opportunity to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine. The Werkself will play in a cream-white special kit, and a large part of the proceeds will go provide support to Ukraine refugees in Leverkusen. The joint shirt campaign by Bayer 04, Barmenia and JAKO is one of many events on the derby matchday where the Werkself are making a clear stand against war and for peace. Here is an overview of solidarity events.
Sascha Stegemann has been appointed as the referee for today’s game. The 37-year-old has previously been in charge of two Werkself games in the Bundesliga. The record from as Bayer 04 perspective: 1 win and 1 defeat. His assistants are Mike Pickel and Marcel Pelgrim with Günter Perl as the man on VAR. Have a good game.
For the match against the club from Cologne Black and Red fans can catch up the key pre-match information with the help of Werkself LIVE. The programme is available at the BayArena – and the free digital version is online now. This season’s new matchday programme from Bayer 04 provides interesting stats and facts on today’s game. There is poster of Kerem Demirbay on the back. HERE is the e-paper.
Our neighbours from Cologne have only lost more games against a Bundesliga opponent in this century to Bayern Munich (21) and the Werkself (17). FC have lost ten times in the top-flight in Leverkusen during that timescale (more than against any other team) including the last three Bundesliga away games at the BayArena – may that continue…
Based on the current coronavirus protection order of the sate of North Rhine-Westphalia the capacity for the derby at the BayArena is 22,658 with no standing allowed. Spectators must wear a medical-grade face covering at all times – including in the their seats. The 2G rule applies. Further information can be found in the FAQs on home games.
Anyone unable to cheer on the Werkself at the BayArena can follow the action on Werkself Radio or on the live text commentary updates. Both the radio and text commentary services are available at bayer04.de and on the new Bayer 04 app – just log on.
German football mourns the passing of Jürgen Grabowski. The Eintracht Frankfurt legend (441 Bundesliga games between 1965 and 1980) passed away on Thursday evening at the age of 77. Rudi Völler, Bayer 04 sporting managing director, won the 1990 World Cup like Grabowski. The 61-year old said: “As a small Hanauer lad I used to stand outside Frankfurt’s ground and dote on that great player. Jürgen Grabowski was an idol for the Frankfurt fans and far beyond the Rhine-Main region too. My condolences go to Jürgen’s family and friends.”
Bayer 04 today congratulates for former Werkself head coach Roger Schmidt on his 54th birthday. After joining Leverkusen from RB Salzburg in the summer of 2014, the coach spent three years at Leverkusen. Schmidt was in the dugout for 125 games – more than with any other club to date. After working in China he is now in charge of the top-flight Dutch side PSV Eindhoven now second in the Eredivisie. Here’s to more success, Roger.
Hans-Joachim Wöhler was a player with Bayer 04 much earlier than Roger Schmidt. The 76-year-old played up front for the Werkself in the 1960s. Happy birthday.
This afternoon, Saturday 24 January (kick-off: 15.30 CET), Bayer 04 host SV Werder Bremen, who are winless in their last seven league games. Nevertheless, in their last outing, a 3-3 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt, where they conceded a late equaliser, the Green and Whites did show their team spirit. The Werkself, led by birthday boy Patrik Schick, will be looking to counter this and secure their first three points of the new year on this ‘!Never Again’ remembrance matchday to commemorate the victims of National Socialism. Read on for the latest information in today's matchday news.
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Happy birthday, Patrik Schick! On his special day, it's not just the Czech striker who can look forward to lots of presents and hopefully many more goals – Bayer 04 fans can also get their hands on a free number 14 print when they buy a Werkself jersey today, January 24! In addition, a match-worn jersey belonging to the now 30-year-old will be raffled off among all purchasers next week.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 2-1 win at 1. FC Union Berlin on the 15th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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Despite a severely depleted squad and being a player down, the Bayer 04 Women made a winning start to their 2026 campaign. Coach Roberto Pätzold's team won 2-1 at newly promoted FC Union Berlin on Friday night thanks to a last-minute goal. Vanessa Fudalla scored from a direct free-kick (78') and Kristin Kögel (90+2’) in stoppage time for the Werkself, who were reduced to ten players on 68 minutes, on an atmospheric stage at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. As a result, the Black and Reds are now fifth in the table for at least one night at the start of matchday 15.
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The Werkself are looking for the first win of the new calendar year: Ahead of the sold-out Bundesliga home match against SV Werder Bremen on Saturday, 24 January (kick-off: 15:30 CET), head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about taking chances, possible winter transfers and a “Lion" returning to the Leverkusen matchday squad.
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