"We are now in a situation where we depend on other results to get back to fourth place," said the Werkself head coach referring to VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund – opponents for TSG Hoffenheim in the next two fixtures. At the same time, Herrlich made it clear the team's own performance is a higher priority than the rivals' results: "We're chasing again – and now Hoffenheim have something to lose but we shouldn't focus on other teams. We have to look at ourselves: When we've lost games that had most to do with us rather than the opposition. We have to remain focused," And the performance levels required are clear. "When we play to the maximum of our potential then it's always difficult to beat us, perhaps with the exception of Bayern Munich," said the 46-year-old.
The entitlement to make that statement is evident from the away record of his team: After the previous 16 games on the road, the Werkself are second behind the Champions League semi-finalists from the Bavarian state capital. "We've often played really well away from home and we don't need to be afraid," said Herrlich. Bayer 04 have already beaten Werder Bremen twice (1-0 in the league and 4-2 after extra time in the DFB Cup round of 16) – both times the coach talked about a "very, very, very, very difficult task" against the Green and Whites. The same again this time. "Since Florian Kohfeldt has taken over as coach, Bremen have not lost at home. For that reason, it is a particular challenge but I have absolute confidence my team can win the game." The foundations are clearly there and the unnecessary 1-0 defeat against VfB Stuttgart has been dealt with. "We actually performed well again Stuttgart but we failed to score. Now it's all about belief. Up to now, we've responded very well to setbacks and that's why I'm very optimistic," said Herrlich.
The man from Mannheim does not have any doubts in spite of the absence of Jonathan Tah (hip), Joel Pohjanpalo Rehab training after an ankle injury) and Sven Bender (muscular problem) plus a question mark over the appearance of Lars Bender (muscular problem). "I've always stressed we have to make up for absences from the team. Regardless of the background to the game, we have to produce a top performance at Bremen. Last Saturday, we defended well with three regular starters from the usual back four," declared Herrlich in praise of the newly formed defence built around Julian Baumgartlinger. Nevertheless, Herrlich is hopeful the skipper will respond well in the final pre-match training session and be available for the trip to Bremen. Wendell will definitely travel to Bremen. The Brazilian full-back has recovered from an ankle injury suffered in the game against RB Leipzig and he as been able to play a full part in training. "Depending on the course of the game, we may be able to play him," said Herrlich looking at naming his starting eleven," although he was pessimistic about him making a start.
Asked about the forthcoming #FinallyRed fan campaign at Bremen, called for by NK12, Fan Liaison and Bayer 04, the 2,500 Werkself supporters in the away section at the Weser Stadium are asked to wear red, said an enthusiastic Bayer 04 coach. I was aware of the game against FC Köln last season and also in preparing for the Bremen match. I think it's a great idea that our fans will be completely in red," explained Herrlich before he added with a wink:"I've decided not to wear red tomorrow but instead to wear the usual black kit on the sidelines. There are two reasons for that: On the one hand, red makes me look very pale – it doesn't suit me. On the other hand, I heard a report on WDR this morning that women increasingly wear red in the spring and that the colour subliminally signals receptiveness. If I was to wear red on the bench that might indicate receptiveness to one person or another – so that's why I've chosen to avoid it," The Werkself coach had the last laugh before he left the Media Centre at the BayArena to start final preparations for the Bremen match.
“Year after year, this is an incredibly valuable gathering, both in terms of the content covered and the opportunity for mutual discussion,” stressed Bayer 04 goalkeeping coach David Thiel in his welcoming address at this year’s goalkeeping coaches’ meeting. This was the third time in four seasons that the event had been held at the BayArena. Organised by the German Football Association (DFB), the meeting brought together goalkeeping coaches from the Bundesliga, Bundesliga 2 and the 3rd division from the west region. For the first time this year, goalkeeping coaches from the youth performance centres (NLZ) were also present. Bayer 04 fitness coach Markus Müller provided fascinating insights into the specific fitness training carried out with the Werkself’s goalkeepers.
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It was another incredibly close call in the end: The second showdown in the 2026/27 VBL Club Championship saw the #B04eSports team once again narrowly miss out on a place in the top 16 of the preliminary round – and with it, a spot in the in-person knockout stage. It was a bitter blow: Marc and Sean Landwehr again fell just short, despite being level on points with their rivals. As was the case last month, their weaker record across the twelve individual matches in the six preliminary round fixtures proved decisive.
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Several Werkself players are set to represent their national teams during the final international break of 2026. Here’s an overview of who has been called up and the matches they will face in November. This article will be updated regularly.
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“They stuck with us over the past few weeks when things weren’t going so well,” said captain Edmond Tapsoba, thanking the fans for their support after the 2–1 win in Cologne and dedicating the derby victory to them. Throughout the 90 minutes, the Werkself had looked unfazed and in command, inflicting the first home defeat of the season on FC Köln. It was the sixth consecutive win against the Cologne team for Bayer 04 – head coach Carles Martínez, on the other hand, was facing the team from the neighbouring city for the first time and “now really knows what this derby win means”. The Werkself derby review.
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Following the 2–1 derby victory away at FC Köln on Bundesliga matchday 9, Edmond Tapsoba, Malik Tillman and Aleix Garcia spoke to Werkself TV...
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