After breakfast and a morning rest, head coach Peter Bosz led his players on a walk along the beach promenade in Tel Aviv in sunshine and temperatures over 20 degrees at lunchtime. Several Werkself players took the opportunity to take snapshots of the Mediterranean and the long beach.
On Thursday evening (kick-off: 18.55 CET) in Petach Tikwa, a few kilometres east of Tel Aviv, Lukas Hradecky and Co. have a Europa League away game at Hapoel Beer Sheva. It is also the first competitive match for the Werkself on Israeli soil.
As usual, Cedric Pick and Niko Hartmann will guide Bayer 04 fans through this encounter with their expertise and passion for the Black and Reds. Werks11 Radio starts broadcasting half an hour before kick-off with the duo reporting live from the BayArena. Log on to bayer04.de from 18.25 CET or via the Bayer 04 app.
The game against Be’er Sheva will also be shown on the streaming service DAZN. Lukas Schönmüller is the commentator and the former second division player Sebastian Kneißl is the pundit.
The Werkself completed their final pre-match training session on Wednesday evening following the press conference with Peter Bosz and Nadiem Amiri at the Ha Moshava Stadium. Bayer04.de brings you images from the floodlit session:
As announced by Chelsea on Wednesday, Kai Havertz has tested positive for coronavirus. The Bayer 04 homegrown talent is currently self-isolating according to the top English club and was therefore unable to play in Wednesday night’s 3-0 home win against Stade Rennes in the Champions League.
Havertz signed for the Premier League club in the summer after ten years at Bayer Leverkusen where, according to sporting managing director Rudi Völler, he developed into a “world class” player. Bayer 04 say: Get well soon, Kai!
Today sees Bayer 04 go head-to-head with their next direct rivals in the race for Champions League qualification (kick-off 15:30 CEST). Opponents Stuttgart are currently fifth in the table, level on points with the Werkself but one place below them due to a three-goal inferior goal difference. The Black and Reds' record at Bad Cannstatt tells a clearer story: they've not lost at VfB for over 16 years. One important factor in securing what would be three crucial points away from home is Leverkusen's strength on the counter-attack. Whilst Stuttgart are also extremely dangerous going forward, they will be without their captain. Today’s matchday news.
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Another showdown in the race for the Champions League places takes place in Swabia: on Saturday 9 May (kick-off 15:30 CEST), the Werkself visit VfB Stuttgart, who are only behind on goal difference. In his pre-match press conference, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about confidence, excitement and mentality.
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Reinforcement in attack: Bayer 04 Leverkusen have secured the transfer of striker Maja Sternad from Bundesliga rivals SV Werder Bremen. The 22-year-old has signed a contract until 30 June 2028.
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It's a thrilling situation: as the season draws to a close, Stuttgart and Bayer 04 are heading into the home stretch almost neck and neck. After 32 games, with 17 wins, seven draws and eight defeats each, both teams are on 58 points. Even in terms of goals scored, VfB and the Werkself are level on 66. The Black and Reds have conceded just three fewer goals (43) than their rivals (46), which is why they sit one place behind fourth-placed Leverkusen. This Saturday, 9 May (kick-off: 15.30 CEST), the two teams go head to head at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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