Good record against, and at, Schalke
Bayer 04 have clocked up 30 Bundesliga wins against FC Schalke 04 and have only enjoyed more success against VfB Stuttgart (33). The Werkself have won the last three matches at Schalke. The last time Bayer 04 secured four consecutive away wins against an opponent it was in Sinsheim at TSG Hoffenheim (2012 to 2014).
Almost always one goal per game
Leverkusen have found the back of the net in all of the last seven games against Schalke. It was just one goal in six of those seven matches with the Werkself scoring more once in a 3-2 victory in April 2016. Bayer 04 fought back after being two goals down after 29 minutes with goals from Julian Brandt, Karim Bellarabi and Chicharito securing the win .
'Kies' likes royal blue
Stefan Kießling has scored eight goals against Schalke in the Bundesliga, more than the rest of the Bayer 04 squad put together (Bellarabi three, Volland two, Baumgartlinger and Brandt one each). Kies netted home and away against Schalke last term, with half of his four goals in the season coming against the Royal Blues.
High time on the road
Bayer 04 are one of three teams (in addition to Mainz and Stuttgart) still without a point away from home this term. Heiko Herrlich's team have let in eight of the ten goals conceded on the road. In their three away games the Werkself have allowed the opposition nine clear goalscoring opportunities – compared with just two in the three home games.
Alario in select group
In his debut on Bundesliga matchday six, Lucas Alario scored once and provided one assist. Five players have managed that since detailed records were kept in 2004: Diego, Demba Ba, Juan Arango, Douglas Costa and now Alario.
Unbeaten in twelve
Before losing 3-0 to FC Bayern on matchday five at the Veltins Arena, Schalke were undefeated in twelve home games in succession (six wins, six draws).
Brace for Kevin
Kevin Volland was in good form against HSV scoring twice as he did in the 4-0 home victory over SC Freiburg. This is the first time in his Bundesliga career he scored a brace in two successive home games. Volland has scored four goals in eight days before: In September/October 2015 he bagged two braces for Hoffenheim in successive games (at Augsburg and at home to Stuttgart).
On opposite sides in youth games
Domenico Tedesco and Heiko Herrlich have already faced each other as coaches in 2013/14 and 2014/15 in the South/South-West section of the U17 Bundesliga. Tedesco was a youth coach at VfB Stuttgart and Herrlich in the same role at FC Bayern. 24 goals were scored in the four games – an above-average return for the U17 Bundesliga of six goals per game.
Front row at the Schwadbud
For many Bayer 04 fans, who do not travel with the Werkself, it is an established practice to watch away games in the Schwadbud to get behind the lads in the company of fellow fans. It is possible that it might be busier in the fan pub tonight: It will be the first time a Bayer 04 match has not been on Sky but instead only available on Eurosport Player, which very few homes or bars have access to. So it could well be worth getting there early: The Schwadbud opens its doors one hour before kick-off at 19.30 CET.
Exciting experiences and exclusive insights into the Werkself and the BayArena awaited the young footballers from the BA04 Football Academy Guangzhou in China during their visit to the Rhineland this week. As well as taking part in a joint training session with the Bayer 04 Football Academy, the youngsters marvelled at the Bundesliga club’s stadium during a guided tour. The highlight of the visit was a private press conference with former Bayer 04 striker Stefan Kießling, during which he shared tips from his own career with the young players. On Saturday afternoon, 10 October, the group will round off their visit by supporting the Werkself in the away match in Mainz.
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Fun, games and promising talent: At the fourth Bayer 04 Junior Girls’ Talent Day at the Kurtekotten training centre, 90 football-mad girls had the chance to put themselves forward for the Werkself youth teams. During a 90-minute training session, children born between 2011 and 2019 had the chance to demonstrate their skills.
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Despite the international break, numerous Werkself fans turned up at the BayArena on Saturday 3 October. The occasion: Bayer 04, together with Bayer Vital and main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer, organised a Health Day. In the stadium’s Premium Lounge, guests listened to fascinating talks on the subject of cancer, featuring, amongst others, Bayer 04 record appearance holder Rüdiger Vollborn and former Werkself player Hans Sarpei. Afterwards, young and old alike enjoyed interactive stations such as a grip strength test and eye pupil test.
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A cracker of a Round of 16 tie on a Sunday afternoon: The date has been set for the Bayer 04 women’s team clash with Bayern Munich in the DFB Pokal. As announced by the German Football Association (DFB) on Monday morning, the Leverkusen women face the holders on Sunday, 1 November, at 15:00 CET.
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