The goals were scored by Kevin Volland (35’) and Chicharito (37’ pen.). Bayer 04 also hit the woodwork three times through Volland, Pohjanpalo and Kruse. Roger Schmidt fielded 21 players over the course of the friendly.
The Werkself played for the first time in the new white away kit against Real Sociedad, with the Mexican Carlos Vela and the returnee from Real Madrid Asier Illarramendi in the visitors’ starting eleven. And Bayer 04 were first out of the blocks: Volland tested the keeper Ramirez with low drive from 20 yards out on four minutes and two minutes later Volland and Karim Bellarabi combined well but could not pick out Chicharito. The team in white impressed the Werkself crowd with their lively approach, pressing and crisp passing. The Werkself rang the changes up front in terms of positions to the evident pleasure of the fans.
Jedvaj sets up Volland, Chicha doubles the lead
The deserved lead finally came on 35 minutes – and it was the first strike at the BayArena for new signing Kevin Volland. Tin Jedvaj put a delightful ball through the middle where Volland won the foot race with the advancing Ramirez to the edge of the box leaving the striker with an empty net. And the Spanish keeper had to pick the ball out of the back of the net again two minutes later: Admir Mehmedi was wrestled to the ground in the box and Chicharito stepped up to convert the spot-kick with his penalty fired into the roof of the net. The result was a fair reflection of the play for Real Sociedad although it could have been worse immediately before the break when the nippy Benny Henrichs set up Volland but the front man hit the post.
There were three changes at half-time with Julian Baumgartlinger, Wendell and Hakan Calhanoglu coming on. Kevin Kampl moved forward. A smart curling shot from the Slovenia international went just wide of the target on 56 minutes. Just after the hour mark it was time for Roberto Hilbert, André Ramalho and Kyriakos Papadopoulos to get time on the pitch. Kampl continued to shine and he put Chicharito in with a chance on 65 minutes.
Spectacular double against the post
Roger Schmidt then made another four substitutions and two new boys were centre of attention with a double strike against the post on 68 minutes: Joel Pohjanpalo hit the ball against the woodwork and Robbie Kruse the post on the rebound. There were further changes and more fun on the pitch while the fans in the North Stand put in collective singing practice for the impending campaign.
The game against Real Sociedad was the seventh and final pre-season friendly for Bayer 04. The Werkself are in competitive action on Sunday 21 August (15.30 CET) in a First Round DFB Cup tie against SC Hauenstein in Pirmasens.
The Werkself line-up:
Leno – Jedvaj (Hilbert 61’), Toprak (Ramalho 61’), Tah (Papadopoulos 61’), Henrichs (Wendell 46’) – Kampl (Öztunali 66’), Aránguiz (Yurchenko 66’) – Bellarabi (Baumgartlinger 46’), Mehmedi (Kruse 66’) – Volland (Calhanoglu 46’), Chicharito (Pohjanpalo 66’)
The Golden Boy Top 100 traditionally lists Europe’s most promising young players. In the latest update, published to mark the start of the new season, four current Werkself players – alongside loanee Francis Onyeka – feature on the list. This means Bayer 04 have the most players in contention of any Bundesliga club.
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Goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe will continue to play for Bayer 04 Leverkusen next season. The loan of the Germany U23 international, who joined from Liverpool in the winter, has been extended by a further year.
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The Bayer 04 delegation, led by Fernando Carro, CEO, concluded their multi-day trip to Brazil with a visit to the community-based organisation Bola Pra Frente in Rio de Janeiro – founded by former Werkself player Jorginho. During the visit, Bayer 04 committed to extending support for the Bola Pra Frente project for a further five years. In addition, Jorginho, a member of the Brazil 1994 World Cup-winning squad, was named Bayer 04’s second official club legend. With the visit to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the club has strengthened the relationships built up over the years in one of Bayer 04’s most important international markets.
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Ten years after retiring as a player, Kristina Sundov is returning to the Bayer 04 Women’s team as assistant coach. The 39-year-old former Croatia international takes over from Remzi Kahraman, who has taken up a new challenge abroad. She has been given a contract to 30 June 2028.
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The training pitches at the BayArena are already buzzing with activity again, even before training officially begins next week. On Monday morning, a small group from the Werkself first-team squad completed a session lasting around an hour. Both new and familiar faces were present.
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