Three matches in seven days. After the 5-1 home defeat against FC Bayern and the successful test of strength at Real Betis (1-1), the Black and Reds return to Bundesliga action at FC Köln. "I'm expecting a game full of challenges and high intensity," declared Gerardo Seoane at the pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon who is only missing the injured trio of Julian Baumgartlinger, Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Charles Aránguiz.
The last two matches against FC Bayern and the Spanish club from Andalusia have left their marks. But the Swiss boss is satisfied after yesterday's Europa League away game at the Estadio Benito Villamarin: "We wanted to be compact and that's what we did. It was an attractive and entertaining game for the spectators with highs and lows on both sides."
The Werkself, who returned from southern Spain in the early hours of Friday, now face the derby – and in circumstances that have not existed for a long time in this fixture between the two clubs: For the first time since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the clash between these two rivals from the Rhine will take place with supporters in the stands. The FC Köln ground of the RheinenergieSTADION will be sold out with 50,000 fans at the match.
Also due to this atmosphere, Seoane says "Control of emotions is an important subject. Bundesliga matches are always intensive – but there's more emotion with derby games." Therefore the object is, "to keep calm and stand firm."
A former Köln player will be in the Werkself team in the shape of youngster Florian Wirtz. The 18-year-old playmaker has already played two derbies with the Bayer Cross on his shirt (4-0, 3-1) albeit without a win in front of fans due to the pandemic. "Flo knows it will be a special match for the fans. He will prepare accordingly," said Seoane. "Emotions are part of this business. The fans can express their feelings. We can deal with that."
On the opponents, who currently lie seventh in the Bundesliga, the Bayer 04 head coach said: "Köln are powerful and brave and they are very good at pressing. Their aggressive approach to the game could help us. We have to get out of those situations and then benefit from our pace." With that in mind, the fourth derby win in succession should be on the cards.
There will plenty of action at the BayArena when Bayer 04 and SC Freiburg, the two most competitive teams in the current Bundesliga campaign, meet this Sunday, 26 October (kick-off: 15:30 CET). The A59 autobahn will be closed to traffic. Thirteen fan clubs will be honoured for their long-standing commitment during the half-time break. Matchday news brings you the latest information on today’s home game.
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With twelve points from the six matches in the online preliminary round of showdown one, the Leverkusen eSports players have made a successful start to the 2025/26 VBL Club Championship campaign. They finished eleventh in the table and made it through to the offline knockout round of the first showdown, where they will first face FC Schalke 04 in the Round of 16 on Sunday, 26 October (from 15:15 CET/live on the VBL Twitch channel). The latest information on their opponents and possible further adversaries.
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After a poor start to their Bundesliga campaign, SC Freiburg have long since bounced back. Coach Julian Schuster's team are unbeaten since the end of August and got a confidence boost on Thursday in the UEFA Europa League for their next challenge at the BayArena this Sunday, 26 October (kick-off: 15.30 CET).
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The Bayer 04 Women have made good use of the international break. In stormy weather, the Werkself beat top-flight Dutch team NAC Breda 8-1 in a friendly on Thursday afternoon. Caroline Kehrer (5’/18’), Paulina Bartz (15’), Valentina Mädl (38’/69’/79’) and Vanessa Fudalla (53’) scored for the Leverkusen side.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without captain Friederike Repohl for the next few weeks. The 31-year-old keeper, who has played in six matches this season, suffered a muscle injury to her left thigh in training.
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