Just a few hours after the Werkself friendly against Deportivo Toluca (0-1), Julian Baumgartlinger, Lennart Grill and Co. are already back on their feet. Part of the Bayer 04 tour group has registered for a hot-air balloon flight over the pyramids of Teotihuacán.
Having arrived at the destination, there was first a short coffee break while the hot-air balloons were prepared – two of them allocated to the visitors from Leverkusen in Black and Red.
At seven in the morning on the dot, the first group including sporting director Simon Rolfes and honorary captain Stefan Kießling gathered around the balloon and watched the final preparations before climbing into the basket.
For Rolfes it was his second flight in a hot-air balloon. The 40-year-old just before ascending into the air: “I did it back home in Münsterland when I was 13 or 14 years old. Of course, the pyramids here are completely different. I’m really looking forward to it!”
Once up in the air there was no end to the amazement for the travellers: The so-called pyramids of the sun, which the hot-air balloon was flying over, are the third biggest in the world with a diameter of 225 x 225 metres and a height of 63 metres; the neighbouring pyramids of the moon are the fourth biggest. They are sited in the centre of the ruined Mesoamerican city of Teotihuacán, some 45 kilometres north-east of Mexico City.
In between the many photos and videos taken, Rolfes and Kießling discovered one of the local football pitches below them - a new perspective for the former long-serving Bundesliga players from a height of 300 metres.
To the amazement of everybody, the Bayer 04 balloon finally descended to a field surrounded by cactuses exactly next to a trailer – and they were brought back on it to base and then to the team bus. A successful hot-air balloon trip in the air and on the ground.
After a run of seven games unbeaten in all competitions, the Werkself suffered a 1-0 defeat at FC Union Berlin despite their best efforts. Captain Robert Andrich, who took responsibility for the goal, said after the match: "Now we have to focus on not losing our heads even in difficult situations. That has always made us strong in the past." The Werkself review.
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Bayer 04 were beaten 1-0 away at Union Berlin on Matchday 23 in the Bundesliga. Kasper Hjulmand’s side struggled to create clear chances, while the hosts struck the only goal of the game through Rani Khedira in the 28th minute.
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Sandwiched between their UEFA Champions League knockout play-off tie against Olympiacos, Bayer 04 return to Bundesliga action on Saturday with a trip to Union Berlin (kick-off: 15:30 CET). It’s a fixture of contrasting styles, with Leverkusen preferring to control the play while Union look to remain compact and counter. The Berliners are therefore suited to facing top teams, but they have only ever managed to win one of 16 meetings with the Werkself, who are looking for a fifth clean sheet of 2026 but will need to beware the home side’s threat from set pieces. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
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After six wins in seven games, the Werkself will be looking to continue their winning run in the capital at FC Union Berlin. Coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke ahead of the match on Saturday, 21 February (kick-off: 15:30 CET) about defenders, the short preparation time and the condition of the pitch at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
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