The colours black and red dominate the streets in Rio de Janeiro. Bayer 04, currently at the training camp in the Brazilian metropolis, play a smaller part in that although the banners of the ESQUENTA Bayer 04 Brazil Tour are and have been clearly visible at the hotel in Barra da Tijuca, at the the friendly against the CR Flamengo U20s at the Estádio da Gávea and on Ipanema Beach. The Leverkusen club colours belong in Rio to the club who have made part of their training ground available to Bayer 04: CR Flamengo, the most popular club in the city. You can see people in Flamengo jerseys everywhere: vendors on the beach, taxi drivers, restaurant guests. Fluminense also have a big fan base in the perfectly beautiful coastal city. The green and red shirts of the big rivals are also to be seen – albeit in a minority.
As so often with football rivalries, Flamengo and Fluminense do have similarities. In addition to the obvious ones – the hometown and the shared use of the Maracanã – there are also other parallels: Both teams impressed at the Club World Cup: Flamengo beat the eventual winners Chelsea who knocked out Fluminense at the semi-final stage: A special joy for fans of the Black and Reds who can maintain they were the better team although they went out at the quarter-final stage. The two top clubs also have another similarity: After returning from the big stage of world football they suffered defeats in the Brazilian league. Nevertheless there is huge anticipation on both sides and a few things are on the line: The Urubu (vultures) can go ten points ahead of Fluminense who have played one game less.
For many people in Rio a defeat for their favourite club in the ‘Dérbi’ can lead to a long period of pain regardless of the position in the table. There is a lot of banter and in the event of a defeat – skits and jibes rain down whether that's at work, on the streets or in the family. The rivalry of the two clubs goes far beyond the usual bounds and goes back to 1911 when Flamengo founded their football section – because eleven players from Fluminense were looking for a new home.
The former regatta club has now overtaken their arch rivals with more national and international titles won and fans in every level of society. Fluminense can also claim the latter although 'Flu' are considered to be more of a middle and upper-class club. Flamengo celebrate their home wins at the Maracanã with the battle cry: ‘Festa na favela’ (It's a favela party).
Both fan groups are considered to be extremely passionate so the Werkself players can look forward to a special experience at one of the most tradition-rich venues in world football where Exequiel Palacios won the Copa América with Argentina in 2021 (the interview with Pala is here).
Arthur has already been on the pitch and knows the Maracanã really well albeit without making an appearance: "I was on the subs bench. It's great to be back again. It's a stadium with a big history and the atmosphere is incredibly good. As I played for Flamengo as a teenager I'm more inclined to support Flamengo of course."
Robert Andrich, whose path from the Regional League to the Champions League and a berth in the Germany team has taken in a wide variety of venues, is also looking forward to going to the venue for the 2014 World Cup final: "I think it's really brilliant when you learn a bit about the South American football culture. It's enthusiasm for football through and through so it’s very interesting to experience the derby. I hope everyone behaves on and off the pitch.”
The Leverkusen delegation includes somebody who wore a Flamengo jersey as a child and for whom the visit to the biggest derby in Brazil and the venue for the last Germany World Cup win closes a circle: Simon Rolfes. The managing director sport has a special connection to Flamengo: "It was the first football jersey I had. I got it as a young child at Christmas. So there is a certain connection."
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 4-0 win at SGS Essen on the 24th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
Show more
Bayer 04 put in a brilliant performance to beat RB Leipzig 4-1 on Bundesliga matchday 32 and are now fourth in a Champions League spot. The Black and Reds took control of the game right from the start and, with 75 per cent possession at one stage, took a 2-0 lead into the break through Patrik Schick (25’) and Nathan Tella (45+1’). The visitors initially tried to do more after the break, but the Werkself remained determined and Schick scored his second goal to increase the lead to 3-0 (76'). The Red Bulls pulled a goal back through Christoph Baumgartner (80'), but the disciplined Leverkusen side were not rattled - and certainly not Schick: The Czechia international crowned a brilliant display with his third goal shortly before the final whistle to make the final score 4-1.
Show more
In the previous game against RB Leipzig in December last year, the Werkself turned came from behind to win 3-1 and further improved Leverkusen's already strong record against the Red Bulls. Montrell Culbreath stood out with his first goal on his debut for the Black and Reds. While the 18-year-old would certainly like to score a second goal against Leipzig on Saturday night, the attack-minded visitors come to the BayArena in confident mood after five Bundesliga victories in a row. The Nordkurve12 supporters group knows the Werkself will therefore once again be reliant on the vociferous support of the fans, and has once again called for the ‘Finally Red’ campaign in the run-in. Today’s matchday news.
Show more
Video games manufacturer Electronic Arts (EA), together with the German Football League (DFL), announced the top male and female selections for the 2025/26 Bundesliga season this week. Bayer 04 striker Vanessa Fudalla is in the starting eleven of the women's "Team of the Season". Alejandro Grimaldo and Aleix Garcia have been selected as bench players in the men's team.
Show more
