Leverkusen coach Peter Bosz did watch yesterday's performance of the Green and Whites in the Europa League and drew the conclusion: "There are two sides to Wolfsburg this season." Probably true: The Wolves were 1-0 up at half-time against KAA Gent thanks to a goal from Joao Victor (20'). However, the game ended in a 3-1 defeat and is the third pointless match for VfL in succession. "This match partly reflected their season to date: They did not lose at the start, scored a lot of goals and conceded few," said Bosz at the pre-match press conference. "Let's see what they do on Sunday. But it's more important to me what we do – I can influence that."
Trust and confidence, according to the 55-year-old, are always evident even if the results "weren't right". "Of course, the victory against Atletico is a turning point in terms of the result," emphasised the Dutchman who has almost a full squad to choose from two days ahead of the clash in the motor city. The exception is the injured captain Lars Bender. Bosz said: "I don't believe he'll play. But we've still got two days."
An interesting point: Bosz won his first Bundesliga away game with Borussia Dortmund and his first away game with the Werkself at Wolfsburg by a 3-0 margin. Bosz: "Of course, it would be great if that continues on Sunday. But to do that we have to work hard and play well."

Bayer 04 have comfortably reached the DFB Pokal second round thanks to a 4–0 victory away to Liga 3 side SV Wehen Wiesbaden. Patrik Schick put the Werkself ahead in the first 45 in the first competitive match under head coach Carles Martínez with debuts for new signings Miguel Gutiérrez, Afonso Moreira and Facundo Medina. After the break, Lucas Vázquez (47'), Nathan Tella (69') and Christian Kofane (79') also found the back of the net.
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Today brings the first match of the season for the Werkself. Bayer 04 kick off the 2026/27 campaign today, Saturday 22 August, at 13:00 CEST with a first-round DFB Pokal tie away to third-tier side SV Wehen Wiesbaden. The 3,700 travelling fans can not only look forward to what will hopefully be a successful start to the season, but also now organise their journeys to Black and Reds games even more easily via the WERKSELFgo car-share platform. Meanwhile, following two defeats at the start of the league season, SV Wehen are hoping to spring a surprise in the DFB Pokal tie. Today’s matchday news.
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Carolin Simon is the new captain of the Bayer 04 women’s team. The full-back, who joined from Bayern Munich in the summer, will take over the captain’s armband for the 2026/27 season. Simon returned to Leverkusen in the summer after ten years away. The 33-year-old succeeds goalkeeper Friederike Repohl, who retired at the end of last season.
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With the 2026/27 season set to kick off with a DFB Pokal tie away to SV Wehen Wiesbaden (Saturday, 22 August, 13:00 CEST), the squad numbers for two Werkself players have now been confirmed. New signing Afonso Moreira will wear the number 9, which he has already worn in pre-season friendlies. Lucas Vázquez is switching from number 21 to number 17 – the number he wore successfully at Real Madrid for many years.
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Bayer 04 start the 2026/27 season away to third-division side SV Wehen Wiesbaden. Ahead of the DFB Pokal tie on Saturday 22 August (kick-off: 13:00 CEST), head coach Carles Martínez spoke at the pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon. The topics: anticipation, passion, the fans’ support – and the captaincy for the new season.
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