
Speaking at the press conference ahead of the Freiburg game, Heiko Herrlich shared his views on…
…possible absentees against SC Freiburg: "The players came through yesterday's game against Larnaca fit and well. As it stands today, everybody's available for Sunday (apart from long-term injuries Charles Aranguiz, Julian Baumgartlinger, Panagiotis Retsos and Joel Pohjanpalo, ed.)."
… the expected tactical approach from SC Freiburg: "They've played with three different systems this season – and they'll definitely use one of them on Sunday. I can well imagine they will want to play against us like they did at home to Schalke 04 (1-0; matchday 5, ed.) .“
…the last meeting in the Breisgau: "I'm expecting a similarly tough game as last season (0-0, ed.). SC Freiburg play a pressing game and there's a method to it – they have an absolutely passionate coach in Christian Streich and they play like that too. I'm an absolute fan of his."
…a solid defence: "In every game, we aim to defend as well as we can and keep a clean sheet. Not letting in goals is a positive sign – especially for the defence which involves, and places demands on, all the players. We didn't manage it against Larnaca yesterday but we're travelling to Freiburg with the intention of keeping a clean sheet there."
…the number of goals conceded this season: "The goals we've let in this season were mostly due to individual errors in the build-up to them. For example, if you look at the two goals we let in yesterday, the first came from a set-piece that we should have defended better – the ball was passed on and we were just too late getting to it and then the goal's conceded. The goal to make it 3-2 was simply due to a communication error between Tin Jedvaj and Mitchell Weiser and it shouldn't have happened. We definitely need to improve here and there."
…the return of Panagiotis Retsos: "We hope he can return to full training during the international break – and the same goes for Julian Baumgartlinger and Charles Aránguiz. The plan is to bring them back one-by-one but it obviously depends on whether they come through their individual training sessions."
Around 750 Leverkusen fans are expected to be at the Schwarzwald Stadium on Sunday to support the Werkself at Freiburg.


After just two points from their last four games, the situation has become trickier for Borussia Mönchengladbach in the bottom third of the table. Only three points separate the Foals from the relegation play-off spot. Coach Eugen Polanski's team is under pressure ahead of the home game against the Werkself on Saturday, 7 February (kick-off: 18:30 CET). The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show more
Calling all eSports fans: On Saturday, 21 February (from 16:00 CET), the Werkself Wildcard Cup will take place at XPERION Köln (Hansaring 97, 50670 Cologne). Interested EA FC 26 amateur players will have the opportunity to win attractive prizes and a place in the VBL Open Play-offs by WOW. The play-offs are the final preliminary stage of the VBL Grand Final by WOW, the tournament for the German individual championship and, alongside the club championship (VBL CC), the most important sub-competition in the German eSports scene. Read on for information on registration.
Show more
At its first general meeting on 5 February 2026 in Frankfurt am Main, the Frauen Bundesliga FBL e.V. made key decisions regarding the future direction of the Women’s Bundesliga. The meeting was based on the results of the negotiations with the German Football Association (DFB) over the past few weeks.
Show more
Another efficient performance from the Werkself in the 3-0 home win against FC St. Pauli saw them reach the semi-finals of the DFB Pokal for the third time in a row, and it was not the only record set on what was a successful evening. It meant head coach Kasper Hjulmand was delighted to "still be in with the chance of winning something". Like the coach, however, the ambitious Edmond Tapsoba also stated that he wanted to keep "improving" bit by bit: "We'll continue to give our all, no matter who we come up against." The Werkself review of the clash.
Show more