Back
8.01.2017Bayer 04

Florida Cup starts with game against Estudiantes

Here we go again. The Werkself faced the Argentinian top-flight team Estudiantes de La Plata in the Florida Cup in St Petersburg/Tampa on Sunday (20.00 CET).
© Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fussball GmbH

This is the third time the competition has been held and is now an established institution in the Sunshine State. Bayer 04 are the only team to have played in all three years.

Six teams are competing for the trophy from 8 to 15 January under the motto 'Where clubs become nations'. Germany are represented by the Werkself and the VfL Wolfsburg youth team, Atlético Mineiro and EC Bahia from Brazil are here and the 'USA/Argentina team' is made up of Tampa Bay Rowdies and Estudiantes de La Plata. Every team plays two games and the points are added up for the nations at the end with wins earning three points, draws one plus the chance for an extra point in the final penalty shootout.

Verón’s comeback

Bayer 04 opened the Florida Cup on Sunday (20.00 CET) against Estudiantes de La Plata. The opponents were at the top of the Argentinian league for a long time in the first half of the season but finished fourth in 2016. One particular point of interest: The great Juan Sebastian Verón makes his comeback after promise the fans to face Bayer 04 at the age of 41. Verón has signed an 18-month contract at Estudiantes. The Bayer 04 there are hopes that Karim Bellarabi will also make his comeback. Roger Schmidt is considering giving him time on the pitch in the Florida Cup. The matches were shown live on DAZN and the Bayer 04 Facebook page.

Atlético with Robinho on Wednesday

The second game for the Werkself takes place on the night of Wednesday to Thursday (01.00 CET) in Orlando. Schmidt's team will face and Atlético Mineiro side that includes superstars Robinho, Fred and the former Hoffenheim player Carlos Eduardo.

Two tournaments in one

Following the first round, six other teams will compete for a second Florida Cup from 15 January in a play-off mode. The teams are Corinthians SC, Vasco de Gama, FC São Paulo, Millionarios FC, River Plate from Buenos Aires plus SC Barcelona.

Related News

Rekord: Frauen feiern 14. Saisonsieg in Essen | 24. Spieltag
Werkself-TV - 03.05.2026

Women: TV-highlights of 4-0 win at SGS Essen

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 4-0 win at SGS Essen on the 24th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.

Show more
Torjubel der Bayer 04-Frauen
Women - 03.05.2026

Bundesliga record for the Werkself: Women celebrate 14th win of the season in Essen

The Bayer 04 Women have kept their chance of qualifying for the Champions League alive in the Bundesliga run-in. Coach Roberto Pätzold's team won 4-0 at SGS Essen on Sunday afternoon, improving their record from last season to 14 wins this term. With 43 points, the Werkself equalled another record from the 2024/25 season and at the same time reduced the gap to third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt to two points, at least for tonight. Loreen Bender (4’), Kristin Kögel (41’, 68’) and Cornelia Kramer (89’) scored for the Black and Reds, who dominated the game to record their fourth win on the bounce.

Show more
Werkself jubelt mit den Fans
Bundesliga - 03.05.2026

Werkself review #B04RBL: Up to fourth place with ‘fantastic energy’ from the fans

With the 4-1 home win against RB Leipzig, the Werkself not only ended the run of five consecutive victories for RBL, but also moved up to fourth place, which would ensure qualification for the UEFA Champions League. While the media praised the impressive performance of Leverkusen's hat-trick hero Patrik Schick in particular, the team and coach were delighted with the "fantastic energy" from the stands and are looking to take the momentum into the remaining two games: "We have to perform like we did today in Stuttgart!" The Werkself review.

Show more
Werkself electrify the BayArena and win 4-1 against Leipzig | 32nd Matchday
Werkself-TV - 02.05.2026

TV highlights of 4-1 win against RB Leipzig

Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 4-1 win against RB Leipzig on Matchday 32 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season...

Show more