"We’re ready and looking forward to the first game in the league," said Werkself head coach Peter Bosz at the pre-match press conference held at the media centre at the BayArena on Friday afternoon. The opposition is also a reason. "I followed them last season in the second division: They play on the front foot and the coach is very courageous – I like that," said Bosz in praising the freewheeling playing philosophy of SC Paderborn, whose coach Steffen Baumgart he played alongside at Hansa Rostock from January to July 1998. Given the attacking style of play of the two teams, the 55-year-old sees a good chance that "tomorrow's game won't end in a goalless draw" and he believes the spectators will be entertained.
The Dutchman will have to manage without Joel Pohjanpalo (ankle) and Mitchell Weiser against the second division runners-up. The 25-year-old who scored his first Bundesliga goal against Paderborn four and a half years ago, suffered a bruised foot in the pre-season and only started individual training at the start of the week following a three-week stint on the sidelines. The rest of the squad took part in full training according to Bosz who is looking to start the Bundesliga campaign with a win after the previous three opening fixtures in the league ended in defeat.
In 2015/16 the Werkself last started the season with a win in a 2-1 victory over TSG Hoffenheim. "It's always very important to get a start like that – you want to win the game to feel good. So it will be important we are fully focused tomorrow," demanded Bosz who has been working on fine tuning the Werkself over the course of the week. "We saw in the Cup game against Aachen that we’re on the right track but we have to improve. And I hope that's the case against Paderborn."
The record against the Sport Club from East Westphalia-Lippe, founded in 1907, looks good up to now: Bayer 04 and SCP have only met twice before – in the first season Paderborn were in the Bundesliga: a 2-2 draw at the BayArena followed a 3-0 away win at the Benteler Arena. To make sure that continues and hopefully to mark a successful start to the season, the fan groups have come up with something special for the start of the season. At 13.30 CET, when the Werkself arrive in the team bus along Bismarckstraße ( by the 'Stadioneck'), Lars Bender, Kevin Volland and Co. will be greeted with an emotional, black and red reception. "We can't do without the fans – there were lots of them in Aachen and last season we saw that we need them. Support is very important – it can make the difference you need to win a game," said Bosz impressed by the event.
Tickets are available on the day the Paderborn game that will also see Rüdiger Vollborn and Stefan Kießling named Bayer 04 honorary captains.
Latest match info
Weather forecast: 21 degrees, cloudy
Referee: Tobias Stieler
Live on Werks11-Radio: bayer04.de
Live TV broadcaster: Sky Sport
Issa Traoré is moving from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Slovakian top-flight side AS Trencin. The club has loaned the centre-back out for one year to this year’s ninth-placed team in the Slovakian league.
Show more
Assistant coach Remzi Kahraman is leaving the Bayer 04 Women’s team with immediate effect to take up a new challenge abroad. The club has agreed to the 31-year-old’s request to leave, although his contract was originally due to run until 2027. A decision on his successor will be announced shortly.
Show more
At the U19 European Championship in Wales, the Germany U19 national team lost their third and final group match 4-0 to Spain. Several regulars, including Bayer 04 players Montrell Culbreath and Francis Onyeka (on loan to SV Elversberg), who had combined for four goals and assists in the two previous victories, did not feature,. Germany had already secured their place in the semi-finals with a game to spare.
Show more
Two weeks into the preseason, the Bayer 04 Women have secured their first victory. Coach Roberto Pätzold’s team won their first friendly 2–0 against Bundesliga newcomers Mainz 05. In front of 160 spectators at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre, the two summer signings, Maja Sternad (80’) and Justine Brandau (90’), scored for the Black and Reds.
Show more
