
The weekly series covers the five big Bundesliga clubs in North Rhine-Westphalia Schalke 04, Bayer 04, Borussia Dortmund, Borussia Mönchengladbach and FC Köln.
Nowhere else in Germany has such a high concentration of football fanatics and such rivalry between the clubs in North Rhine-Westphalia. Although increasing commercialisation in football is often complained about: The attraction of the five Bundesliga teams in NRW remains unbroken. However have they achieved that? What is special about the clubs that the fans get on board a helter-skelter of emotions each season? WDR television investigates this question in their five-part documentary series 'Mein Verein'. After Schalke 04 with the first club shown in the series last Sunday it is now the turn for Bayer 04. The title of the programme, broadcast on Sunday on WDR between 21.45 and 22.30, is entitled 'the Werkself?'. The trailer text says: "The documentary goes in search of the last real works footballers, meets the club bosses from yesterday and today, fan from Leverkusen but also from Moscow and Mexico. And: A club legend who is researching the history of the club that apparently does not have one. One question is permanently in the air: Bayer 04 – a cool marketing instrument? Or after 40 years since promotion to the Bundesliga on the way to being a big club?"
In the broadcast we hear from the CEO Michael Schade, sporting director Rudi Völler, fan liaison officer Rüdiger Vollborn and comedian Wilfried Schmickler, a committed Werkself f who grew up in Leverkusen.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with Germany U19 international Montrell Culbreath. The attacking midfielder and right winger has penned a deal with the Bundesliga club that runs to 30 June 2030. Culbreath has played for the Werkself as a youth player since 2023. Last December, he scored his first Bundesliga goal for the Leverkusen first team in the Bayer 04 3-1 away win at RB Leipzig.
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The Werkself's 3-0 victory over Villarreal in the UEFA Champions League certainly left many happy faces: Malik Tillman was delighted with his brace, Robert Andrich with the clean sheet and coach Kasper Hjulmand with the "manner" of this significant home win. With an overwhelming superiority and over 75 per cent possession at times, Bayer 04 deserved their place in the UCL play-off round. They will face a familiar foe in February. The Werkself review.
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Werkself TV shows highlights of the 3-0 win against FC Villarreal on matchday 8 in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 league phase...
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The Champions League journey continues! On the eighth and final matchday of the league phase of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26, Bayer 04 secured their place in the play-offs with a commanding 3-0 win over Villarreal. Malik Tillman put in a mature and combative performance for Leverkusen, scoring a brace (12', 35') to make it 2-0 at the break, while Alejandro Grimaldo (57') and plenty of control of the game did the rest in the second half. The draw for the Werkself's next UCL opponents will take place on Friday 30 January at 12:00 CET.
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