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!
With seven points, Mainz 05 are currently joint seventh, level on points with sixth-placed Bayer 04. In today’s head-to-head clash (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself must be particularly wary of the clinical Mainz strike duo. For Leverkusen fans who have left it to the last minute, there are still a few tickets available from the matchday ticket office. Those following the Black and Reds from home, on the other hand, have a choice: RTL is broadcasting the match on free-to-air TV, and Werkself Radio is also offering the expert commentary of former Bayer 04 player Falko Götz. Today’s matchday news.
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Back from the international break: On Saturday 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to Mainz 05. Ahead of the clash at the MEWA ARENA against the side currently sixth in the table, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the team’s work during the extended international break. The Spaniard also commented, when asked, on a number of squad matters, including Ibrahim Maza.
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FSV Mainz 05 went into the international break on the back of an away win at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Currently sixth in the table, the Rheinhessen side – who have been impressive on the road – now aim to continue their good start to the Bundesliga campaign at home when they face the Werkself on Saturday, 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). In terms of squad selection, Urs Fischer once again has more options at his disposal. Up front, the Mainz coach is likely to continue relying on what is currently the league’s most successful strike partnership. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Thomas Eichin has been working for Bayer 04 for six years – as Director of Professional Teams since July 2023 – and has contributed to the successful development of our club in many areas. Today, Friday 9 October, Freiburg-born Eichin is celebrating his 60th birthday. We wish him a very happy birthday.
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Together with his family, friends and close associates, Bayer 04 Leverkusen bid farewell to Peter Hermann. The club’s long-serving assistant manager passed away on 19 September following a serious illness. Today, Thursday 8 October, Bayer 04 held an event attended by around 200 invited guests to commemorate Peter Hermann’s legacy. Representatives from the DFB and the other professional clubs where Hermann worked paid their respects to him at the BayArena.
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