The final pre-match training session brought the realisation: All the players who were away on international duty are ready to play. 21 outfield players took part in the session at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium including the recently slightly injured Charles Aránguiz. The only players missing are the three long-term absentees through injury Edmond Tapsoba, Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Julian Baumgartlinger.
Head coach Gerardo Seoane will have to manage without another player in addition to the trio: Goalkeeper Niklas Lomb suffered a torn ligament in his left middle finger. The 28-year-old will be out of action for three weeks. We wish you a speedy recovery, Lombo.
The new matchday flyer the Werkself Live makes its first European appearance on Thursday. Exciting facts and figures on the encounter between the Black and Reds and Ferencváros is available immediately in the free online magazine. The special attraction of the new publication available at the BayArena: On the one hand, there is lots of information in compact form on the clash with the Hungarians and, on the other hand, a poster with our new signing Mitchel Bakker. That will find a good home in many a Werkself living room. Click HERE for the e-paper.
UEFA has appointed Andris Treimanis as the match referee for #B04FTC. For the 36-year-old Latvian, it is – with the exception of a Youth League game involving Borussia Dortmund in 2013 – the first involvement with a German club.
Jonathan Tah and Nadiem Amiri already have experience of the referee for tomorrow night: Playing for Germany, the Werkself duo appeared in three games with Treimanis in charge – once each with Germany (2020) plus the Germany U21s (2019) and U19s (2014).
The Ferencváros head coach is known to nearly everyone associated with Leverkusen: Peter Stöger – at FC Köln 2013 to December 2017 and that Borussia Dortmund from December 2017 to June 2018 – has coached the Hungarian champions for the last two and a half months. The 55-year-old sees his team as the underdogs in the away match in Leverkusen: "A lot of things would have to come together as Bayer 04 are the clear favourites. They have a lot of creative players who can make the right decisions on the pitch. Their quality is really incredible."
Stöger has greater hopes of the home games in the Hungarian capital. The Austrian added: "We are a force there. 25,000 spectators, enthusiastic fans and a great atmosphere." Group G, also including Real Betis and Celtic, is "worthy of the Champions League" according to the Austrian coach.
Chelsea, with Kai Havertz, showed how you make a successful start to a European competition on Tuesday night. The reigning Champions League winners won the opening home game against Zenit St Petersburg 1-0 with a goal scored by Romelu Lukaku. In spite of his success in London, the home-grown Werkself player, Havertz has not forgotten his former coach and teammates from Leverkusen.
Werder Bremen coach Markus Anfang, who Havertz played under in his youth days at Bayer 04, explained the 22-year-old played a part in the move of Mitchell Weiser to Werder. "I asked Kai about Mitchell. They played together in Leverkusen and are friends," said Anfang in an interview with Sport Bild. "Kai said Mitchell is a good lad who could help us and that he would fit in well." Weiser scored for Bremen in his first appearance. The 27-year-old is on loan at Werder Bremen until the end of the season.
Would you like to work at the BayArena? Be close to the action at Werkself games? Now you have your chance. There are currently vacancies with the Bayer Catering service in the areas of public catering as well as with the VIPs. All further information on the duties, conditions and requirements is available HERE.
To finish off, we would like to congratulate one of our former players: Wolfgang Vöge played for the Werkself from 1980 to 1984. The striker scored 24 goals in 125 Bundesliga matches in a Leverkusen shirt. The Ahlen-born former player is 66 years old today (Wednesday). Many happy returns.
After eight years in the youth set-up at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Benjamin Adam is leaving the club. The 35-year-old, who most recently coached the Leverkusen U17s, will take charge of the Hansa Rostock U19 team next season.
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As well as internal changes and familiar faces, Bayer 04 are also looking to bring fresh impetus to the coaching staff of the senior youth squads for the 2026/27 campaign. Here is an overview of the U19, U17 and U16 teams.
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Bayer 04 have signed 16-year-old defensive midfielder Kennet Eichhorn from Hertha Berlin. The Germany U17 international is joining the Werkself from the Berlin Bundesliga 2 club on a long-term contract. Eichhorn made 19 appearances for the Hertha Berlin first team last season, scoring two goals.
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Welcome to Leverkusen, Kennet Eichhorn. Bayer 04 have signed the 16-year-old midfielder from Hertha Berlin. Read on to find out more about our new signing.
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