Time for a closer look at our opponents:
Position
The campaign to date has seen Schalke clock up the least number of points for 17 years. However, they are just four points away from seventh place that would ensure qualification for the Europa League if Borussia Dortmund win the DFB Cup. So the Royal Blues have not given up hope of returning to the European stage next term – even though the club is still recovering from the Europa League exit against Ajax at the quarter-final stage of the competition.
Personnel
Schalke have struggled with injury problems throughout the current campaign. At the start of the campaign, new star signing Breel Embolo was ruled out for the whole season with Abdul Rahman Baba, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Naldo also unavailable for a long time. They are joined on the sidelines by probably the best Schalke player this term as Leon Goretzka suffered concussion and an injured jaw against Ajax. The youngster Thilo Kehrer is currently serving a suspension.
Potential
In addition to Goretzka, Guido Burgstaller, signed from FC Nürnberg, has been a stand-out player since the winter break. In last weekend’s 1-1 draw away to RB Leipzig, he made his first start alongside Klaas-Jan Huntelaar who is in his seventh, and disrupted, year at Schalke. He celebrated his return against Leipzig with an impressive strike and he could be the X-factor in the season run-in. He definitely shows no lack of motivation in spite of the threat of relegation: “I’ll continue to be ambitious to my dying day,” he declared recently.
Problems
The team coached by Markus Weinzierl has failed to make the most of their matches on the road this season. Across all competitions, the Royal Blues have only won one of the last eight games away from home and three of the last four Bundesliga games are not in Gelsenkirchen.
Prediction
If Schalke overcome their indifferent away form and go on a run they could still end up in a Europa League spot. The match at Bayer 04 is followed by games against Freiburg, Hamburg and Ingolstadt that could be seen as an easier prospect compared with their many rivals. So the Schalke fans cannot give up hope just yet. Of course, a defeat at the BayArena would certainly change the outlook for the Royal Blues.
Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career as he worked as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personalised Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month…
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From special edition jerseys to fan banners, the home game against Mainz 05 was all about the many Bayer 04 fan clubs. Accordingly, a fitting tribute to the long-standing Werkself supporters was not to be missed during half-time in the Bundesliga match. Fernando Carro, CEO, honoured the up to 50-year anniversaries of six fan clubs in front of the coaches' benches at the BayArena.
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It is an expression of solidarity and a tribute to the unique fan culture Under the Cross: Bayer 04 Leverkusen make a special statement with the "50 Years of Fan Clubs" jersey. To mark the founding of the "First Fan Club 1976 Leverkusen", which was followed by many more over the years right up to the present day, the Bundesliga club is commemorating 50 years of passion with this new jersey. Highs and lows, successes celebrated together as well as defeats suffered are manifested in this piece of white fabric, a symbol of unwavering identification with the Werkself.
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There’s lots going on at the BayArena today. The home game against FSV Mainz 05 is all about the numerous Bayer 04 fan clubs, whose birth - the founding of the "1. Fanclub 1976 Leverkusen" - dates back 50 years. A number of fan club representatives will be involved in awards, a banner display and a half-time matchday chat, and the Werkself are set to play in a special white fan club jersey. During half-time, Leverkusen mayor Stefan Hebbel and javelin world champion Steffi Nerius will also talk about the Olympic bid involving Leverkusen. Black and Red fans are advised to get to the stadium in good time today. Matchday news.
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The Werkself host Premier League club Arsenal in the Round of 16 first leg in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign. The match at the BayArena is on 10/11 March. Read on for information on ticket sales for this fixture.
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