What happened on 14 May 2016? Or, to be more precise, exactly 118 days ago? That was the date of the last competitive match at the BayArena. On the final day of last season the Werkself completed the Bundesliga campaign with a 3-2 win against Ingolstadt ahead of the summer break. That seems like an eternity ago now. Matchday two on Saturday is the opening home fixture in the new season and also the start of a frenetic run of fixtures: Seven games in three weeks are coming up. And the Werkself are ready. "We can't wait to finally get going," said Roger Schmidt full of anticipation at the press conference. "We haven't played at the BayArena for a long time. Now we definitely want to win our first home game against Hamburg SV and start the run of seven games on a winning note."
Bayer 04 have won eight of the last 10 Bundesliga games and only lost to Gladbach (twice in the league). That run also started with a 1-0 victory against HSV. Our opponents from Hamburg have used the transfer window very well and strengthened their squad in-depth, declared the head coach. "They've brought in a number of players who can make the first eleven. They will push us all the way."
The Bundesliga opener at Gladbach was followed by the first international break of the season. There was good and bad news for Bayer 04 on that front. "Whenever nineteen players are on international duty there is a high probability of one of two being injured. Unfortunately that's exactly the case with Vladlen Yurchenko and Kevin Volland," said Schmidt. "Robbie Kruse has come back with a cold and is not available. Charles Aránguiz only rejoins the team on Friday. I'll speak to him today and decide whether or not he will be in the squad."
"I assume Chicharito will be available"
The international break did have some positives: Stefan Kießling took part in full training again. As did Danny da Costa. Schmidt: “The break did both of them a power of good. Some of the international players have only done recovery work. I have a lot of people to speak to today," announced the head coach on Friday afternoon. The boss was very positive regarding Chicharito. "Chicha was able to train as usual this week. I assume he will be available." The same applies to Lars Bender. "And new signing Aleksandar Dragovic will definitely be in the squad.
There is a big question mark over Kevin Volland. "Even if it doesn't look good for Kevin Volland, with the operation on his hand only being eight days ago, we'll have a strong starting eleven and a good bench. Everything is in place for us to win the game."
Traveling to North America for the World Cup this summer to see your favorite Bayer 04 players? Here’s a quick cheat sheet with thumbnail portraits and insider tips for each city from a local expert, so you can make the most of your visit and activities beyond the game!
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A fresh look for the BayArena: The Bayer 04 stadium will have new seating in the form of folding seats for the 2026/27 campaign that will ensure significantly improved seating comfort and simplified movement within the rows of seats. As part of routine replacement after 17 years, fans of the Werkself were able to purchase the existing seats, used to witness the first German league title in the club's history. In addition, a large proportion of the seats will be donated to charitable projects, primarily in the local region. Bayer 04 fans can look forward to new, functional folding seats for the season opener at the beginning of August - still in the club colours of black and red, of course. A glimpse at the BayArena during the refurbishment.
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On Monday evening, 8 June, around 250 people came to the Bürgerhaus Baumberg at the invitation of Bayer 04 to find out details of the new plans for the campus on Alfred-Nobel-Straße at an information event. More compact, greener and with many advantages for Monheim am Rhein - those are the aims. There were lively discussions for around three hours and some misunderstandings were cleared up.
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Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
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When Malik Tillman arrived at Bayer 04 Leverkusen from PSV Eindhoven last summer, he did more than just add attacking midfield strength to the team — he reconnected the club with a unique and understated American lineage that stretches back more than three decades.
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