The rebuilding of the Werkself home ground started just before Christmas in 2007. The new stadium had a capacity of over 30,000 and a unique roof construction, new levels in the stands and exclusive VIP areas to provide a fitting stage for a host of great moments of football. Ultras and visiting fans, company directors and families are all equally welcome at Bayer 04.
The 2009/10 season started with a 1-0 away win for the Black and Reds in the first round of the DFB Cup at the then Regional League outfit SV Babelsberg 03. And the team led by head coach Jupp Heynckes were also on the road on Bundesliga matchday one: The game at FSV Mainz 05 ended in a 2-2 draw. But then it was finally time – in the third match of the new season, Simon Rolfes, Stefan Kießling and Co. were able to play at their new stadium. 28,000 fans made their way to Bismarckstraße and there were queues at the entrances. A banner bearing the words ‘home sweet home’ adorned the North Stand - goose bumps by the River Dhünn!
The Werkself quickly took control of the home game against TSG Hoffenheim and penned the opposition in their own half. But the attack were unable to create any clear-cut chances. That changed in the middle of the second half: Renato Augusto was under no pressure when he played a pass to Eren Derdiyok who back-heeled the ball to Kießling who was just a fraction quicker than his TSG opponent Josip Simunic - 1-0 (67’). The first win of the season was clocked up.
Bayer 04 finished fourth in the Bundesliga in 2009/10. Memories remain of qualification for the Europa League as well as special moments at the ‘new’ BayArena...
Match stats:
Bayer 04: Adler - Castro (Schwaab 80’), Friedrich, Hyypiä, Kadlec - Vidal, Rolfes - Renato Augusto (Kroos 88’), Barnetta (Zdebel 88’) - Derdiyok, Kießling
TSG Hoffenheim: Hildebrand - Beck, Simunic, Compper, Ibertsberger - Carlos Eduardo, Vorsah (Wellington 74’), Salihovic - Obasi, Ibisevic (Ba 59’), Maicosuel (Vukcevic 46’)
Goals: Kießling (67’)
Booked: Kadlec, Vidal, Adler - Vorsah, Ibisevic
Referee: Peter Gagelmann (Bremen)
Attendance: 28,000
Bayer 04 have fond memories of their encounters with Heidenheim, including a resounding 6-0 win in the reverse fixture. Kasper Hjulmand’s side would very much like to produce a similarly clinical display as they now head to the Voith-Arena for Matchday 27 on Saturday (15:30 CET). But they come up against a team fighting for their Bundesliga lives at the bottom of the table, 10 points adrift of safety with time running out. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
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The Bayer 04 Women welcome FC Carl Zeiss Jena to the Ulrich Haberland Stadium on Sunday night in a white retro look - and in a unique Bayer 04 ‘50 Years of Fan Clubs’ special edition jersey. In sporting terms, head coach Roberto Pätzold's team will face the Bundesliga's bottom team at 18:30 CET looking to keep their chances of third place in the table alive with six games left to play.
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Bayer 04 return to Bundesliga action this weekend. Following their elimination in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League, the Werkself are away to FC Heidenheim 1846 on Saturday, 21 March (kick-off: 15:30 CET) on Bundesliga matchday 27. Ahead of the clash in the eastern Swabian Alps, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the importance of the fixture and the chances of qualifying for the Champions League next term.
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A quick look at the table shows the situation at FC Heidenheim is serious. The Bundesliga bottom club are already ten points behind the play-off spot with their backs to the wall in sporting terms. With eight games left to play, avoiding relegation appears to be a mission impossible. Nevertheless, they are far from flying the white flag at the Schlossberg ahead of the clash with the Werkself this Saturday, 21 March (kick-off: 15:30 CET). The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without the two strikers in the immediate future. Caroline Kehrer suffered a torn ligament in her right knee and Amy Wrigge tore her cruciate ligament.
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