The two players from Rosenheim, Lars and Sven Bender announced at the end of last year that they were ending their playing careers in the summer of 2021. Lars joined Leverkusen in 2009 from 1860 Munich and was the Werkself captain from 2015 to the start of the current campaign. His twin brother Sven signed for Leverkusen from Borussia Dortmund in 2017 and, like his brother, he assumed an important leadership role on the pitch.
Now it’s time to say Thank you. We are therefore collating your messages, images and memories of the Bender brothers. At the final Bundesliga home game of the season against Union Berlin on Saturday, 15 May (kick-off: 15.30 CEST), we will show your messages to Lars and/or Sven Bender at the BayArena.
This is how it works: Enter your contribution on Facebook, Twitter and/or Instagram, marked Bayer 04 and use the hashtags #DankeLars and/or #DankeSven.
Let’s make the last home game for Lars and Sven unforgettable.
Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 2-2 draw at FC Augsburg on Matchday 3 of the 2026/27 Bundesliga season...
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Bayer 04 earned a 2-2 draw at FC Augsburg on Bundesliga Matchday 3 with a late equaliser. The Werkself led at half-time through Christian Kofane's strike but the hosts, who went in the game as league leaders, turned it around with a quickfire double from Michael Gregoritsch after the break. The Black-and-Reds didn't give up, though, and salvaged a point thanks to substitute Patrik Schick's flick in the 89th minute.
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After the first win of the season against 1. FC Union Berlin (4-0) last weekend, the Werkself are aiming to collect another three points at FC Augsburg on Saturday 12 September (kick-off 15:30 CEST). The hosts, meanwhile, are enjoying their best-ever start to a Bundesliga campaign and go into Matchday 3 top of the table for the first time. The Matchday News.
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The Werkself are away to FC Augsburg on matchday 3 of the 2026/27 Bundesliga season. The game at the WWK Arena against the current – and for the first time – league leaders of the German top flight is on Saturday 12 September at 15:30 CEST. Ahead of the match, head coach Carles Martínez spoke about this week’s training and the team’s approach to the fixture, as they face an opponent brimming with confidence. The Spaniard also addressed a number of squad matters.
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FC Augsburg are top of the table for the first time in their Bundesliga history. After two wins for starters, FCA lead the German top-flight with six points and a goal difference of 7 to 1. This Saturday, 12 September (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), Augsburg are looking to build on their strong start to the season against the Werkself. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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