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.
After a goalless and at times evenly-matched first half, Bayer 04's U19s ultimately suffered a heavy defeat at Manchester City. Coach Kevin Brok's depleted side - including five players who were part of the senior squad for the Champions League game in the evening - lost 6-0 on Matchday 5 of the UEFA Youth League.
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The Werkself face Manchester City for the very first time on Tuesday for Matchday 5 of the league phase in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League (kick-off: 21:00 CET). The hosts sit fourth in the standings and boast huge quality in attack, while Leverkusen are looking to improve their meagre record of just one win from the last 10 games away at English clubs. A key player in that regard could be Aleix Garcia, the former City midfielder who ranks highly in several passing metrics in the Champions League this season. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
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The Werkself's next European trip takes them to the north-west of England as Kasper Hjulmand's side take on Manchester City on Tuesday, 25 November (kick-off: 21:00 CET) on Matchday 5 in the league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign. As usual, we'll take you along on the #aCROSSeurope journey and report from Manchester. All times listed are in CET.
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The annual Black and Red Week has started. Day one, Tuesday 25 November, includes a special ticket offer for Bayer 04 Club members and a special jersey offer for all Werkself fans...
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