Bayer 04 are currently planning for an attendance of 6,000 fans at the BayArena on Saturday in accordance with the coronavirus prevention order issued by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and a current infection rate of 17.7 (as at 23 September). If the critical rate of new infections does not exceed 35 per 100,000 population on Friday afternoon, 25 September, then the plan remains in place as agreed by the club and the city council. Failing that, the match will have to be played behind closed doors.
Fernando Carro, CEO at Bayer 04: “We are grateful for the cooperative and constructive approach shown to us by the mayor. In his role, he is responsible for all the citizens of the city and not just for football fans. As the organisers of this event, we have to accept a late postponement even though that does involve another economic risk for us. But we remain optimistic and hope we will be able to enjoy the Bundesliga atmosphere at the BayArena on Saturday for the first time in months.”
Leverkusen’s mayor Uwe Richrath: “After a long period of football games behind closed doors, it is important to me that Bayer 04 fans can finally return to the stadium. Unfortunately, the football stadiums will not be full again soon but it is a start. To avoid this being a one-off, we have to continue to adhere to the coronavirus prevention meaures. Bayer 04 fans can be proud of the discipline shown in the Covid-19 crisis and that includes people who have stood up for the less well-off.”
Health department head Alexander Lünenbach: “The management at Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH have presented a convincing hygiene concept for matches with crowds during the coronavirus pandemic. Provided we succeed in keeping the situation under control at the current level, there are no concerns about resuming matches with spectators. If, however, the number of cases significantly increases and a critical level is reached then the applicable coronavirus prevention measures will force us to act so that we are able to to deny admission of spectators to the stadium at short notice under those circumstances."
Bayer 04 remain unbeaten in the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. After winning the opener against NK Celje, the Werkself followed that up on Thursday night with a 4–0 win away at the Polish champions Lech Poznan. Patrik Schick, who came on as a substitute early in the game, scored twice from the penalty spot, and Malik Tillman also found the back of the net before half-time. The second half was a more subdued affair, with Ibrahim Maza scoring late on to seal the final 4-0 scoreline.
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Since 2023, Bayer 04 has been organising regular free goalkeeping coach training sessions at the BayArena. As in previous years, the event attracted enormous interest in mid-October 2026. Around 140 participants – mostly goalkeeping coaches from the region, but also team and academy coaches as well as association staff – came to the Werkself stadium to gain expert knowledge on the subject of zonal marking. Through a theoretical keynote presentation and a practical session on the pitch, the participants gained insights into goalkeeping and goalkeeper training at Bayer 04.
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A first for the Werkself: Today, Thursday 15 October (kick-off: 18:45 CEST), Bayer 04 face Lech Poznan for the first time on matchday 2 in the UEFA Europa League group. Although the Black and Reds have a flawless record against the only Polish opposition faced before, they must not underestimate the attacking ability and goal-scoring threat of the reigning champions from Poznan. Lech’s squad also includes two former Bundesliga players. Today's matchday news.
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Some 30 years on since their last European fixture in Poland, Bayer 04 cross the border for Thursday’s UEFA Europa League clash against Lech Poznan on Matchday 2 of the league phase on Thursday (kick-off: 18:45 CEST). Ahead of a first-ever meeting with Lech, head coach Carles Martínez and winger Nathan Tella spoke in Poznan about special memories and objectives.
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