
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.

Four Bayer 04 players are in action at the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations being played in Morocco from 21 December to 18 January 2026: Eliesse Ben Seghir for the hosts, Edmond Tapsoba with Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Maza for Algeria and Christian Kofane with Cameroon. Updates on the AFCON matches involving Werkself players...
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After a week in the Algarve, the Bayer 04 Women returned home on Saturday afternoon. The Werkself had six training sessions, two friendlies and a lot of time together as a team. Roberto Pätzold's team will be back in action in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga next Friday for the start of matchday 15.
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"We didn’t make the right decision at the right moments," said captain Robert Andrich after the 1-0 defeat away to TSG Hoffenheim, where Bayer 04 endeavoured to control the game but failed to score. The Werkself also had two enforced substitutions due to injuries. Nevertheless, the coach, captain and debutant Janis Blaswich are positive about the coming weeks. The Werkself review.
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Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 0-1 loss at TSG Hoffenheim on Matchday 18 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season...
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No points in the Kraichgau: the Werkself lost 1-0 away to top-six rivals TSG Hoffenheim on Bundesliga Matchday 18. Wouter Burger scored the only goal with a free kick in the ninth minute. In an uneventful contest, the Werkself tried hard to find an equaliser but were repeatedly thwarted.
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