
The 55-year-old was on the main stage in the afternoon alongside Axel Hellmann (board member at Eintracht Frankfurt), Oliver Leki (board member at SC Freiburg) and Bernd Hoffmann (board member at Hamburger SV).
One of the key issues in the lively discussion with the Bundesliga bosses was the possible reform of the UEFA Champions League from 2024/25. For quite some time there has been talk and ideas, above all from Italy and Spain, about serious changes, at least in part. Carro: “You can talk about possible changes within the current structure in a number of areas and discuss it rationally but one thing has to be clear: Qualification for the Champions League can only come via national leagues.” A position that not only finds unanimity amongst those present at the conference but also with the whole of the DFL at the moment.
The chairman of the board at Bayer 04 has been a member of the UEFA Club Competitions Committee since September of last year. The committee reports to the executive committee and plays an important role in terms of the organisation of the European club competitions as well as the distribution of income from TV rights. The possible reform of the Champions League from 2024 is seen as one of the most important tasks facing the sports business. Carro is determined to speak out in a constructive manner for the Bundesliga: “We will have to see what is appropriate given the very different approaches and act responsibly to achieve a good result. A very complex task that I am looking forward to, nevertheless, and I’m determined to play my part.”
Bayer 04 sporting director Simon Rolfes was on the stage yesterday. The 38-year-old was initially a guest at the ‘kicker meets DAZN’ podcast with the presenters Benni Zander and Alex Schlüter (to be broadcast on Monday). Rolfes was then involved in a discussion with Marc Kosicke, Jürgen Klopp’s agent, and others, on the relationship between players, agents and clubs.

There won’t just be plenty of excitement on the pitch as Bayer 04 host Borussia Dortmund at the BayArena at 18:30 CET on Saturday. Outside the stadium there will be collection points for food donations to the Leverkusen Foodbank, which will also benefit from the profits of a jersey raffle in the Fanwelt afterwards. There will also be a minute’s silence before kick-off following the passing of long-time Werkself player Dieter Herzog, before two fan clubs are honoured for their decades-long support at half-time and fans receive a talk about Orange Day, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
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Bayer 04 go into the first of two successive clashes with Borussia Dortmund boosted by their Champions League win at Manchester City. Ahead of the Bundesliga top match on Saturday, 29 November (kick-off: 18:30 CET), coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the tight schedule, BVB's strengths and returning squad members.
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Borussia Dortmund are doing very well in terms of points and results in the Bundesliga, the DFB Pokal and the UEFA Champions League. BVB have only suffered two defeats to date this term. Now coach Niko Kovac's team are away to the Werkself on Saturday night, 29 November (kick-off: 18:30 CET) in the top match on Bundesliga matchday 12. The two teams meet again three days later in the DFB Pokal Round of 16 tie in Dortmund. Two very competitive encounters are on the cards. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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The Bayer 04 Women clcoked up a 3-2 win in a friendly against Twente Enschede on Thursday afternoon in the last international break of 2025. In drizzle, Lilla Turanyi (16’), Kristin Kögel (65’) and Paulina Bartz (69’) scored the goals for the Werkself against the Dutch Eredivisie Vrouwen leaders, who are still unbeaten in the league.
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