“It’s time to turn things round,” said FCA CEO Stefan Reuter in reference to FC Augsburg’s record against Bayer 04. Since Augsburg were promoted to the Bundesliga in 2011 there have been 20 meetings with the Werkself – Bayer 04 have not lost once. That run is unique in the history of the Bundesliga. But Reuter could also be referring to the season so far for Augsburg. FCA cannot really be happy with the first two Bundesliga matches. They are the only team in the league without a goal scored so far and the opening match ended with a clear 4-0 defeat at home to Hoffenheim. Nevertheless: Last weekend brought a decent result at Eintracht Frankfurt with the first point picked up in a 0-0 draw. “We’ve taken a step forward,” was the match assessment by coach Markus Weinzierl. “But we know: We have to improve.” Reuter responded to the record against the Werkself: “We have to win.” FCA have managed that once this term: Augsburg beat Greifswalder FC 4-2 in the first round tie in the DFB Cup.
FCA had a number of personnel issues after the Frankfurt game. Two players went off injured – with differing after effects. Midfielder Jan Moravek suffered a serious groin injury and is likely to be sidelined for a while; by contrast, striker Florian Niederlechner was back on the training ground at the start of the week after picking up a cut in the game in Frankfurt and he will be available to face the Werkself. There is a possible problem up front as both Alfred Finnbogason (ankle injury) and Sergio Cordova (muscle problems) have been ruled out recently and it appears they are candidates for the bench at best on Saturday.
Defender Tobias Strobl is definitely ruled out having suffered a ligament injury in the preseason – and the captain and key defender Jeffrey Gouweleeuw may also miss out due to a groin problem. As in Frankfurt, Reece Oxford may play at the centre of defence alongside Felix Uduokhai. The Englishman returned in July after a knee operation and was back on song immediately.
Also available again is new signing Arne Maier on loan from Hertha Berlin. After coming on as a sub in the opener against Hoffenheim, the midfielder missed the Frankfurt game due to a cold but is now back on board. It is very possible he may make his first start for Augsburg against the Werkself.
As soon as Maier is fully fit, he will be in the centre of the park as when he led Germany to win the U21 European Championships in the summer. In addition to Maier, Germany’s Euro captain, FCA pulled off another coup on the transfer market by signing Niklas Dorsch, one of the outstanding players at the tournament. Maier and Dorsch could form a new central midfield partnership – with qualities both in attack and defence. As soon as the captain Gouweleeuw returns, Augsburg can then build on a very strong defence with the outstanding keeper of last season Rafal Gikiewicz backing them up.
The fact FCA are the only team in the league yet to score this term is not a complete surprise. Weinzierl’s team have failed to pose a real threat to the opposition nets in 180 minutes. On the first two matchdays, Augsburg had the lowest number of shots on goal (11) in the league and created the least clear-cut chances (1). Of course: Numbers like that are not that conclusive so early in the season but the coach Weinzierl is also aware of the problem and he declared: “We have to be braver.”
The start to the season has not gone to plan but over the long term Augsburg should have enough to stay in the top flight. The squad has been strengthened in the right positions; new signing Dorsch has the potential to have an impact on the team. If he can join up with Maier and produce the goods to pose more of threat in attack then everything should work out for the best in the twelfth year in the Bundesliga.
This Wednesday afternoon, the German Football Association (DFB) announced the exact kick-off times for Matchday 6 in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga. According to the fixture list, the Bayer 04 Women’s home match against Werder Bremen will be played on Friday, 2 October, at 18:30 CEST.
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Just in time for the start of the school year, everyone was hard at work again at NaturGut Ophoven. For the 21st time, Bayer 04 have supported the annual ‘BioBrotbox’ campaign, which puts together a healthy breakfast for first-year primary school pupils in Leverkusen – and not only contributed 1,904 muesli bars but also plenty of enthusiasm too: Together with the U19 players Burak Kir and Clinton Wilson, Emily Wallrabenstein and Paulina Platner from the Women’s Bundesliga team helped with the packing. The latter was clearly delighted “that Bayer 04 are helping out with regional projects like this and showing their commitment to the local community”.
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A group of about 50 members of the Bayer 04 Football Academy São Paulo visited Leverkusen over the past few days, accompanied by Bayer 04 club legend Paulo Sergio and Luiz Felipe (managing director of academy in São Paulo) for a week full of football, encounters and very special insights. In addition to the Bundesliga away game in Elversberg and the home game against Union Berlin, the visit also featured a joint training session with the Bayer 04 Football Academy in Leverkusen and a tour of the Bayer AG facilities. The guests also gained special insights into the club and the world of Bayer 04.
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The men's clothing retailer LERROS will remain the official fashion and premium partner of Bayer 04 for the current season. As in the past, LERROS will provide the club's men's team, coaching staff and management with high-quality clothing for international trips.
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Loud cheers rang out five times at the BayArena on Saturday afternoon. Four of them were occasioned by the Bayer 04 fans celebrating the goals – some of which were beautifully worked – scored by a dominant Werkself, whilst the fifth eruption of black-and-red jubilation was prompted by the return of fans' favourite Moussa Diaby. “You can really feel the impact he had here,” said a delighted Managing Director Sports Simon Rolfes about the comeback afterwards. On the pitch, following the commanding 4–0 win over 1. FC Union Berlin, players, coaches and the media were in agreement: that was “the right response” (kicker magazine). The Werkself review of the first Bundesliga home game of the 2026/27 season.
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