
“All in all, the performance was good for the opening fixture,” said the coach Jan Hoepner after the home win on Saturday. In a well-organsied display in first half, the U17s controlled the game against Bielefeld with three of the five new signings in the starting line-up and they created plenty of chances before opening the scoring.
Cem-Tuna Türkmen missed out unmarked in front of the opposition goal and Fabian Rüth also failed to find the back of the Bielefeld net with a header from a promising position. New signing Wolf was on target just before the break. He hit a free kick from the right towards the far post. The ball bounced once before going in to give the Werkself a deserved 1-0 lead.
Decider from a corner
The U17s had more of the game in the second half too, “but there weren’t so may clear-cut chances,” admitted the coach Patrick Weiser. The hosts did succeed in settling the result with time to spare.
A corner from Wolf was only half cleared by the visitors. Fesenmeyer, in the right spot on the edge of the box, trapped the ball before unleashing his effort on goal with the Bielefeld keeper was left helpless by a deflection.
Wednesday at Schalke 04
After the successful start to the season the U17s are in action again on Wednesday in the big match away to Schalke 04. The Royal Blues youngsters won their opening fixture 2-1 at VfL Bochum.
Match stats:
Bayer 04 U17: Lotka - Rüth, Türkmen (Gierseifer 50’), Azhil, Wolf, Kemper, Bukusu, Anapak, Scott (Determann 71’), Gädicke (Ekene 71’), Fesenmeyer (Hortian 78’).
Arminia Bielefeld U17: Mönig - Mika, Tchadjobo (Aydin 78’), Haßheider, Stoll, Klass, Dogan (Ben El Ouahmi 41’), Donsbruch, Kalac (Temin 64’), Ayyildiz, Borchert (Bairamov 41’).
Goals: 1-0 Wolf (39’), 2-0 Fesenmeyer (59.’.
Booked: Wolf- /.
Referee: Aarts (Goch).
Attendance: 261.

The Black and Reds kick off the new Bundesliga campaign today, Saturday 29 August (kick-off 15:30 CEST), away to newly promoted SV 07 Elversberg – and the Werkself will come up against a familiar face who is currently causing a stir at ‘Elv’. For an affordable and easy journey to the Saarland, the 1,600 travelling fans can still use the WERKSELFgo car-share platform. Today’s matchday news..
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The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
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The Bundesliga is back. On Saturday 29 August (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to SV 07 Elversberg on matchday 1 of the new season. Ahead of the clash at the URSAPHARM Arena on Kaiserlinde, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the importance of a successful start and the motivation of the league newcomers from the Saarland.
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On Friday afternoon, it will be decided which eight of the 36 participating teams Bayer 04 will face in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League in 2026/27. At the draw in Monaco (live on UEFA.com), the Werkself will be drawn against two teams from each of the four pots, allocated according to the UEFA club coefficient. A match against an opponent from the same country is ruled out, as is facing more than two clubs from the same national association. Here’s a look at the pots and potential opponents.
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After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
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