"Ready for the next strike" – the Werkself are looking to take another big step in the direction of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Europa League with a win against Be’er Sheva. The BayArena Aktuell matchday magazine provides facts on #B04HBS, introduces the Israeli team and draws an interesting comparison between Julian Baumgartlinger and Be'er Sheva's Mariano Bareiro. The magazine is available (in German) HERE.
As with the visitors from Israel, the UEFA referee Pawel Gil will again be on the pitch with the Black and Reds for a second time on Thursday night. The 44-year-old Pole refereed the Europa League home game against FC Zurich in November 2018, which Bayer 04 won 1-0 thanks to a headed goal from Tin Jedvaj.
The Hapoel team arrived at the BayArena on Wednesday night after a long journey from Israel. Head coach Yossi Abukasis and defender Sean Goldberg made their way straight to the pre-match press conference in the media centre at the stadium. Ahead of the return match, Goldberg talked about a "tough challenge that we have to deal with as a team."
Head coach Abukasis confirmed in answer to a journalist why the key player Josué did not travel to Leverkusen. There was an altercation between the Portuguese and one of his teammates in training. "I decided not to take him with us and I received the full backing of the club," said the 50-year-old.
While the visitors from Be'er Sheva were able to hold their final pre-match training session at the BayArena following the press conference, the roof of the Werkself stadium was lit up in orange. Bayer 04 were thereby showing the club's commitment to the 'Orange your City' campaign making a clear stand against sexual violence. The Water Tower, the Leverkusen Clinic and other buildings in the city will also lit up in this colour on the 'International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women'.
The world of football was shaken by this news on Wednesday: Diego Maradona, one of the best players of all time, has passed away at the age of 60. "His death has hit me hard. He was born the same year as me and we were often opponents at World Cups and in Italy. A wonderful player. His premature death is a bitter blow for football and for Diego's family," said Rudi Völler. The Bayer 04 sporting managing director faced Maradona at the 1990 World Cup final when Germany beat Argentina 1-0.
There will be a minute's silence in honour of Maradona at the Europa League match between Bayer 04 and Be’er Sheva.
Happy birthday, Patrik Schick! On his special day, it's not just the Czech striker who can look forward to lots of presents and hopefully many more goals – Bayer 04 fans can also get their hands on a free number 14 print when they buy a Werkself jersey today, January 24! In addition, a match-worn jersey belonging to the now 30-year-old will be raffled off among all purchasers next week.
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The Werkself are looking for the first win of the new calendar year: Ahead of the sold-out Bundesliga home match against SV Werder Bremen on Saturday, 24 January (kick-off: 15:30 CET), head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about taking chances, possible winter transfers and a “Lion" returning to the Leverkusen matchday squad.
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Werder Bremen play Bayer 04 for the 90th time in the Bundesliga this Saturday, 24 January (kick-off: 15:30 CET). The overall record so far still favours the Green and Whites, who have 28 wins against the Black and Reds (with 25 defeats and 36 draws). The visit to the BayArena marks the start of a crucial busy week for Werder Bremen with clashes against TSG Hoffenheim and Borussia Mönchengladbach to follow. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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A great start to the new eSports year as the Leverkusen professional gamers pick up nine points in the first three of six matches in the online preliminary round of the fourth showdown of the VBL Club Championship 2025/26. Between big wins, wonder goals and composed performances, there was plenty on offer against VfB Stuttgart, Hannover 96 and FC Augsburg.
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