The men who are in the running for the best XI of the last year are Florian Wirtz, Granit Xhaka, Jonathan Tah, Alejandro Grimaldo and Jeremie Frimpong. The quintet were previously voted into the Bundesliga Team of the Season last year. The five Bayer 04 players were also shortlisted for the Men's 11 in The Best FIFA Football Awards.
Meanwhile, Kristin Kögel of Bayer 04 Women is up for the female top XI of 2024. The Women's Team of the Year is being awarded for the second time this year, with Kögel the first Leverkusen player to be nominated.
The Men's Team of the Year will be selected from over 80 players, while there are a total of 70 women's players to choose from. Both teams will consist of one goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielders and three attackers. In both cases, a twelfth TOTY card is also chosen. In addition, EA Sports traditionally awards other players with TOTY cards as ‘Honourable Mentions’.
The vote runs until Monday 13 January, with the final TOTYs being announced successively by position from 17 January.
Kasper Hjulmand has led the Werkself back to winning ways and is back in the knockout phase of the UEFA Champions League with Bayer 04 after the 3-0 win against Villarreal on Wednesday evening. In an interview with the Werkself magazine at the BayArena in the team meeting room, directly opposite the dressing room, he provided some special insights for the current issue, which was published in January. A conversation with the 53-year-old coach about values, attitudes and personal experiences as well as interests outside of football.
Show more
The thrilling 3-1 win for Bayer 04 against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Hinrunde is a fond memory for Alejandro Grimaldo, with his brace from free kicks, and coach Kasper Hjulmand, who was in the dugout under the Cross for the first time. Now comes the return fixture in the metropolis on the River Main and after going out of the DFB Pokal and the Champions League, the full focus at Eintracht, currently managed by two interim coaches, is now on the Bundesliga. For their part, the Werkself will do everything in their power to continue the longest winning run against a Bundesliga club. The matchday news.
Show more
Bayer 04 have ended Artem Stepanov’s loan deal at Nürnberg and agreed a new loan to Utrecht in the Netherlands. The Ukrainian striker did not play as much as hoped for at the Bundesliga 2 club and will now continue his development in the Eredivisie for the rest of 2025/26.
Show more
After back-to-back wins at home, Bayer 04 are now out for their first away win of 2026 as they visit Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday (15:30 CET). Ahead of the Matchday 20 fixture in the Bundesliga, Kasper Hjulmand spoke about renewed confidence, Frankfurt’s recent issues and Patrik Schick’s form so far this year.
Show more
