Excitement and anticipation are growing. That can be felt all over Leverkusen – and also seen now. The city is bedecked in the club colours of black and red. A total of 29 flags for the Pokal-#FinaLEV are flying in Leverkusen – they were hoisted at the BayArena this morning. Others will be flown this week from the town hall, on the administration building, on Landrat-Trimborn-Platz, at Schloss Morsbroich as well as in front of the Bayer Erholungshaus and the Bayer AG Casino. Bayer Leverkusen are also providing more colour: Bayer 04 have sent a small fan package to 50,000 households: We look forward to seeing flags in windows, in front gardens and on fences!
Ahead of such an important game, it would be great to send ‘your Werkself’ greetings, messages of encouragement or a shout of ‘come on you lads’ in person. Due to the coronavirus pandemic that unfortunately continues to be impossible. The team led by Peter Bosz are training behind closed doors to avoid any risk of infection. A slight consolation: Cardboard cut out figures of the Werkself stars are distributed all over the city – life size, to touch and photograph.
Sven Bender knows how to win cup finals – he twice lifted the trophy with Borussia Dortmund (2011/12 & 2016/17). Nevertheless: “A final is always special. It’s a great game that you don’t play in very often,” said the 31-year-old today said at a press conference. “Every final I’ve experienced was somehow different, ” added the defender. This time is even more unusual: “It will be a completely different final without spectators. But that doesn’t change it being a big match against a big opponent. This title has an extremely high value for the club – it’s a massive opportunity.” The full interview will be available tomorrow on bayer04.de.
After work is ‘Bayer 04 time’! From today, Werkself fans should set time aside every day up to Saturday’s cup final at four minutes past seven in the evening for ‘19:04 – The Show’! We will broadcast cup final information and events on YouTube and Facebook. We will be out on the road all over Leverkusen up to the cup final. Look forward to previous rounds of the cup, interviews with our cup heroes of 1993, on fan activities in our city, reports of preparations for the Werkself, players’ statements and insights behind the scenes.
Tonight (Monday) our presenter Mara Mones reports from Aachen – the venue for the Werkself in the first round of the DFB Cup. We look back at the game against Alemannia and also talk to the cup winner Franco Foda, who played for Bayer 04 from 1990 to 1994. We also take a look round Leverkusen. Tune in!
Bosnia U19 international Kerim Alajbegovic is moving from Bayer 04 Leverkusen's youth set-up to Red Bull Salzburg. The talented attacking midfielder has signed a long-term contract with the Austrian club. At the same time, the works club secured a buy-back option for the 17-year-old, who was one of the mainstays of the Leverkusen U19s.
Show moreThe Werkself are away to Premier League club Chelsea in the final pre-season friendly. The game against the current holders of the UEFA Conference League is on Friday, 8 August at Stamford Bridge with the kick-off at 20:00 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales.
Show moreThe Werkself are away to Dutch top-flight club Fortuna Sittard in the third pre-season friendly. The match is on Friday, 1 August at the Fortuna Sittard stadium with the kick-off at 19:00 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales.
Show moreThe Werkself are away to VfL Bochum in the second pre-season friendly. The match is on Sunday, 27 July at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion with the kick-off at 18:00 CEST. Read on for the latest information on ticket sales.
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