This time Karim Bellarabi took time out to visit the Media Centre at the BayArena on Wednesday afternoon to answer the many questions from the 100 girls and boys present. Karim provided insights into his private life and he described his path to becoming a professional footballer – the fulfilment of his dreams. As a child, he played with his mates on the street every day and even took football to bed with him at night as the eleven-time Germany international explained. The 28-year-old also gave his young audience tips about how to make it as a professional footballer..
The German Football League (DFL) is continuing to promote the overseas marketing of the Bundesliga. On Tuesday an office was opened in New York. "The USA represents the biggest and most important sport and media market in the world. In terms of our sustainable, long-term growth against this background, it is only logical that the DFL is better represented here than before," said DFL CEO Christian Seifert. The Werkself were represented by Fernando Carro, the spokesman for the management plus marketing and communications director Jochen A. Rotthaus and former pro Stefan Kießling.
Talking about Stefan Kießling. Five-months after his last appearance in professional football, 'Kies' has continued his career at Bayer 04. At the start of the month, the 34-year-old took up his post as sporting management adviser. How he has settled into his new environment and what his future roles are will probably revealed when he appears on the football talk show Doppelpass on Sunday. The league game against Hannover 96 could also be a subject for discussion. The programme is broadcast live by SPORT1 from 11.00 CET.
A special visit to the BayArena: 222 members from volunteer fire brigades in Leverkusen, the Rheinisch-Bergisch district and the Oberbergisch district watched the Werkself’s 2–0 home win over Slovenian champions NK Celje live in the stadium. Bayer 04 had invited them to the 2026/27 Europa League opener as a thank-you for their tremendous dedication. They watched the match together in Block F4.
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The Bayer 04 U19s have extended their winning run with a fifth consecutive victory on Matchday 5 of the DFB Youth League’s preliminary round. Coach Patrick Greveraars’ side secured a 3–2 (2–1) win in their match against second-placed FC Viktoria Köln, with Burak Kir and Nebe Domnic scoring for the hosts in the first half before captain Ben Hawighorst found the net after the break.
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Bayer 04 will have to manage without defender Guéla Doué for the time being. The Ivory Coast international sustained a muscle injury to his right calf during the final Werkself training session yesterday ahead of the Europa League clash with Slovenian champions NK Celje.
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For the first time since reaching the final against AS Roma (2–2, first leg 2–0) in May 2024, Bayer 04 are playing another home match in the UEFA Europa League – and they will be wearing their new European kit. On Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the BayArena will welcome Slovenian champions NK Celje, who appointed a new coach this week following a mixed start to the season. Under the slogan “40 Years Across Europe. Still Creating History.”, the Black and Reds now aim to add the next chapter to their European history, which has seen so much success in recent years. Bayer 04 fans can follow the match on free-to-air TV on RTL, as well as on Sky and Werkself Radio. The matchday news.
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European football returns to the BayArena: Bayer 04 host Slovenian champions NK Celje on matchday 1 in the group stage of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. Ahead of the match on Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), head coach Carles Martínez and midfielder Aleix Garcia spoke at the pre-match press conference. The focus was primarily on the great anticipation surrounding the competition and the clear objectives for it – and, given the circumstances, on a last-minute change to the opposition line-up.
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