While Bayer 04 go into the home game with a fair amount of confidence given the 1-0 win against SC Paderborn and progression to the last 32 of the DFB Cup, Gladbach have had to cope with the late cup exit away to Borussia Dortmund (1-2). "But I don't think being knocked out means much for the forthcoming game," said Bosz dismissing such thoughts. "They put great pressure on Dortmund and played with a lot courage and energy and, at times, produced some very good football." The Werkself coach was not interested in questions about who are the favourites: "We want to win the game!"
Above all, a look at the table shows the significance of this match: A win would put Bayer 04 within a point of Borussia Mönchengladbach and secure a position amongst the leading group. The teams in the top half of the table are so close together that there is a good chance of moving up with a win. "Last week I thought the table would have thinned out. But it's still very tight given the many draws and also defeats for the top teams," said Bosz before adding: "Therefore, there's no point looking at other teams. We want to win the game because we want to compete at the very top. The three points would help us a lot with that."
The Werkself coach was able to relate good news about the current injury situation at Bayer 04: Wendell, Charles Aránguiz and Leon Bailey have returned to training and "they had a light session yesterday." Bosz is very happy to see the return of injured players given the busy fixture list.
Lucas Alario has been centre stage in recent games. The 27-year-old scored against Bremen and against Paderborn in the cup. The striker has been rewarded for his performances with another call-up to the Argentina squad. "He absolutely deserves it! He's playing brilliantly, is fit and scoring goals. The fact he has been called up again, although Messi is back, must be very good for his confidence," said Bosz in praise of his player who could again make the difference in the match against the league leaders Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Match information:
Attendance: Bayer 04 are expecting a sold-out BayArena.
Referee: Daniel Siebert (Berlin)
Live on TV: Sky
Matchday hashtag: #B04BMG
Midfielder Ruby Grant is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and joining Portuguese runners-up Sporting CP a year before her contract expires. The 24-year-old has been at the Werkself since January 2025.
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Bayer 04 have loaned Brazilian full-back Arthur to Bundesliga side Werder Bremen for one year. Arthur Augusto de Matos Soares – the full name of the right-back – has a contract with Leverkusen until 30 June 2031. At Werder, the 23-year-old is expected to make an impact and help the long-established club further consolidate their position in the Bundesliga.
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Bayer 04 have loaned defender Jeanuel Belocian to Spanish top-flight side Racing Santander. The 21-year-old defender joins the team currently ninth in La Liga until the end of the current 2026/27 season. Belocian’s contract remains valid until 30 June 2029. Last season, the 1.86-metre-tall U21 international was loaned to VfL Wolfsburg for six months.
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He knows the dressing room, the pitch and the club. But, above all, he knows the feeling of playing for the Werkself at the BayArena: Moussa Diaby is back in Leverkusen after three years. The lightning-fast winger has signed a contract with Bayer 04 until 2031 and he will once again wear the number 19 jersey. The left-footed player previously played for the club from 2019 to 2023, having arrived in the Rhineland from his native France as a promising young talent and eventually leaving the club – having established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s best attackers – to join Aston Villa in the Premier League. Now he has returned to Bayer 04 from Al-Ittihad FC in Saudi Arabia.
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