All became clear just before taking off from Moscow on the previous matchday: AS Monaco’s win against Tottenham ensured Bayer 04 qualified for the last sixteen.
Chicharito and Co. can now approach the final group game of the year in the Champions League without any pressure (20.45 CET, BayArena). “I’m looking forward to the game,” said the Leverkusen head coach Roger Schmidt. His team will be keen to give one hundred per cent again at the BayArena and provide the fans with a win to round off the group stage. Tickets are still available so come on down.
Remain unbeaten
Although second spot is secure and first place unachievable, even with a win, the match against the French side provides the Werkself with a top-level encounter and the chance to finish the group stage unbeaten. That would be a first for Bayer 04 in eleven Champions League campaigns to date.
Monaco are also unbeaten ahead of matchday six. And the team coached by Leonardo Jardim clocked up a confidence-boosting 5-0 win against SCBastia at the weekend. The captain and super star Radamel Falcao, who missed the home game against Bayer 04 due to injury, scored twice and newly capped French wonder boy Thomas Lemar scored with an excellent lob. With the retired formula one driver Felipe Massa looking on, the 17-year-old Kylian Mbappé, often compared to a young Thierry Henry, plus substitute Guido Carrillo netted the other two. AS Monaco are currently second in Ligue 1 with an incredible 49 goals scored, just three points behind league leaders OGC Nice and a point ahead of PSG.
Youth League: U19 need to win
Anyone looking for excitement will find it in the Youth League on Wednesday. The Leverkusen U19 team faces a make or break meeting with AS Monaco in the final group match. The team coached by Markus von Ahlen and Iraklis Metaxas have to turn round a 2-1 defeat in the away game in the Principality to finish second and secure progress to the next round. The match at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium kicks off at 14.00 CET, and entrance is free. The game will be broadcast live on www.sport1.de.
A first win in the preseason: In the last friendly before the start of a two-week break in training, the Bayer 04 Women beat top-flight Dutch side Ajax 1-0. In the match played over three 30-minute thirds Vanessa Fudalla scored the goal for the Werkself. In the previous two friendlies this summer, the team led by head coach Roberto Pätzold lost 2-0 two Bundesliga rivals TSG Hoffenheim and drew 1-1 with the Dutch team PEC Zwolle.
Show moreAlejo Sarco has joined the Werkself training camp in Brazil. The 19-year-old striker, signed from Argentinian club Vélez Sarsfield in January, talks to bayer04.de about his first six months in Germany, help from Exequiel Palacios and his targets up to the end of the year.
Show moreThe friendly against the CR Flamengo U20 team on Friday, 18 July (kick-off: 14:30/19:30 CEST) represents the sporting highlight of the current Bayer 04 Brazil Tour. Ahead of the clash at the Estádio da Gávea against the highly successful youth team, there was a media event with the two Bayer 04 managing directors Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes plus head coach Erik ten Hag. The trio talked about the forthcoming opponents, first impressions of Brazil and the reasons for holding the training camp in the land of the five-time World Cup winners. Here are the key statements.
Show moreDay three of the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour. Today, Thursday 17 July, sees the two new signings Jarell Quansah and Christian Kofane join the squad in training. Plus the former Werkself players Paulo Sergio and Rodrigo Chagas visit the Bayer AG Football School. In the afternoon there is a big media event ahead of the friendly against the Flamengo U20s. As usual, Bayer04.de keeps you up-to-date with on-the-spot reports. The blog for day three of the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour (timings given in local time).
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