How important the return match at the BayArena is to Young Boys was evident on Sunday. In the league match against Servette, coach Gerardo Seoane rotated seven players from the side that faced the Werkself – and he said that was based on the return match. "We need a top performance against Leverkusen," said the coach at the post-match press conference. "For that, we need fresh legs and clear minds. That was the basic reason for who played today and who didn't." Jordan Siebatcheu, who scored two goals in the 4-3 win in the first leg, was not in the squad, "to avoid getting injured," said Seoane.
The coach was able to make the large number of changes. Bern secured a comfortable 2-0 victory. They took an early lead through an own goal by the visitors and the final scoreline was complete before half-time with a header from striker Jean-Pierre Nsame. Nsame, Bern's top goalscorer, remains suspended for the return match against the Werkself – as does central defender Mohamed Camara who was sent off in added time against Servette. That did not affect the deserved victory – and the hoped-for revenge: Young Boys suffered their only defeat of the season in the Super League in the previous match against Servette.
But now, "the focus is on Leverkusen," as striker Felix Mambimbi said straight after the game. The YB captain Fabian Lustenberger added: "We have a great chance and we want to do our best to prepare for that."
Young Boys need a draw to go through and to improve their record in Germany. The Swiss team have only won one of their eleven games there but that does include five draws. Number six would put them in the Round of 16 – and that would be the best performance in this competition at the eighth attempt. The former Hertha player Lustenberger declared: "We have the game of the year ahead of us on Thursday."
A simple approach to sport with games, fun and a highlight at the end: Bayer 04 organised a very special training session for 40 participants aged between six and 27 in cooperation with the Football Association of the Middle Rhine (FVM). At the day of action for women and girls with disabilities at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre, many of the participants gained their first experience of football.
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On Saturday, 28 March, the lights will go out again at the BayArena from 20:30 pm to 21:30. As in previous years, Bayer 04 once again take part in the WWF Earth Hour campaign under the motto "We're switching off" as the club wants to set a collective example for more climate and environmental protection together with people, cities and companies around the world.
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Less than a year ago, Kerim Alajbegovic moved from the Bayer 04 U19s to Austrian top-flight club FC Red Bull Salzburg. The forward’s development since then has been impressive. In 36 matches, including in the UEFA Europa League, the 18-year-old has scored 14 goals. In the summer, Alajbegovic, now a Bosnia international, will return to Leverkusen - and thus not only achieve the next milestone still early in his career, but also enrich the Werkself squad with his footballing versatility and determination.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with forward Nathan Tella ahead of schedule. The versatile 26-year-old, who can be deployed as a right winger, false nine or left winger, has penned a new contract to 30 June 2031. Tella joined the Werkself from Championship club Southampton in 2023. His previous contract ran to the summer of 2028.
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Nathan Tella has extended his contract with Bayer 04 to 2031. In an interview with Werkself TV, the 26-year-old talks about fulfilling his dreams, his positive outlook on life and his goals for the future. He answers the questions in English - all except the last one, which he addresses directly to the fans...
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