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 will be preparing young talents for a potential sporting career in an even more systematic way in future. The club is breaking new ground to help develop their academic, social and personal skills as well. With the ‘Haus der Talente' or 'Talent House’, Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH is creating a new centre for the development of young athletes in a central location in Leverkusen. Once completed – expected to be in the summer of 2027 – the project will be run in partnership with TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen e.V.
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