...the last two league games against Wolfsburg (1-4) and Freiburg (1-0): We produced a focussed performance in Freiburg. You can’t ignore how well and with intensity Wolfsburg and Freiburg defend. Every team finds it hard going against those two sides. In addition, it’s now well known that our tempo in attack can be very dangerous. That has led to opponents not allowing us as much space to play on the break. We still have five games to go where we’ll find other means and ways and we’ll have to see what weapons we can use for each game.
...the next opponents FC Bayern: They always have a lot more possession than their opponents and are good at pressing and counter-pressing under Hansi Flick. They are aggressive and are quick to opponents under pressure. You can see that from watching them and the stats show it as well. We’ll face a team on Saturday who will be up for the game, very intensive in challenges and will want to win the ball high up the pitch. We had a similar sort of game in Munich. And, nevertheless, there was space and we found it. We want to do the same at the weekend.
...the tight race in the Bundesliga for a Champions League finish: The high standard of the top five is impressive. There are few slip-ups. There are still five games to play and some very important games coming up in quick succession.
…the messages from the Bundesliga players Jadon Sancho, Weston McKennie, Marcus Thuram and Anthony Modeste at the weekend following the death of the African American George Floyd in the USA: I think the messages sent from the Bundesliga so far have mainly been positive and very commendable. For example, if I think of Wendell, who also has religious messages on his undershirt, then they are primarily encouraging and decent messages. It’s about solidarity and humanity. In the specific case of a negative or questionable message, the club or association can intervene.
…the recent restart of league fixtures in his home country Austria: I’m very happy for them. They have matches coming up in the next few weeks – similar to the third division in Germany. But the whole country has been waiting a long time for the comeback and the lockdown was very tough. Therefore, the players are now happy and are looking forward to playing again. The infrastructure and the health system in Austria are comparable with those in Germany.
Following the press conference, Baumgartlinger made himself available to Bayer 04 TV for an interview. Click HERE for the video.
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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One ticket, two matches – and a varied programme of events, including appearances by players from the professional teams: Bayer 04 has come up with something very special for the 2026 season launch on Saturday, 8 August. From morning right through to the evening, Werkself fans can use just one ticket to not only enjoy top-class football from the Bayer 04 teams live, but also to experience unforgettable moments with the whole family through a variety of hands-on activities around the BayArena and the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The day will also end on a real high note: after both matches, Bayer 04 supporters will have the opportunity to interact directly with the players during joint activities and get to know them from a different angle.
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Issa Traoré is moving from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Slovakian top-flight side AS Trencin. The club has loaned the centre-back out for one year to this year’s ninth-placed team in the Slovakian league.
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