At the morning session on Tuesday, Kai Havertz, Julian Brandt and Co. we're back on the training ground. Karim Bellarabi and Sven Bender, who went off injured on Saturday, were missing. The pair will be rested for the forthcoming Europa League home game against FC Zürich on Thursday (21.00 CET) as Heiko Herrlich revealed after the training session: "It makes no sense taking a risk with Karim and Sven. I believe there's a good chance both will be fit for Sunday (League game at Leipzig - ed.), but we not going to commit hara-kiri," said the Werkself head coach. in any case, he announced his desire to rotate against the Swiss Cup winners. There is a final pre-match training session at the BayArena tomorrow night ahead of the game against Zürich. The next open session is planned for Friday at midday (subject to change).
Kai Havertz is indisputably one of the most promising talents in German football. At the age of 19, the Werkself number 29 already has made over 50 Bundesliga appearances (64 games, 10 goals and 17 assists) – more than anybody else at that age. His performances have been recognised with the award of the Fritz Walter Medal in gold for this year's best German youth player. Now he has the chance of a second big award this year: Since Monday, Havertz is in the running for sports personality of the year in North Rhine Westphalia (football category). Up to 3 December, it is possible to vote for the 19-year-old, who made his debut for the Germany U19 team at the start of September, at www.nrw-sportlerdesjahres.de. Moreover: There are six athletes from TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the running for the FELIX Award in Gina Lückenkemper (female athlete category and team category), Konstanze Klosterhalfen (female athlete category), Mateusz Przybylko (male athlete category), Markus Rehm, Felix Streng und Johannes Floors (all in disabled sport category). Good luck to everybody!
Ahead of Saturday's Bundesliga game against 1899 Hoffenheim, the Bayer 04 referee section collected over 50 referee shirts, shorts and socks plus other equipment for a good cause: The DFB referee Naemi Breier has voluntarily been collecting money and donations for various projects for world hunger relief to support activities in Africa in particular. Most recently it was in Rwanda where she supported the construction and modernisation of a primary school. Bayer 04 Bundesliga referee Laura Duske and Rahel Glombek, head of the referee section at the Werkself, became aware of this unique project and set about organising support. The great donation was handed over during half-time at the Bundesliga game by Jörg Kappenhagen (head of fans, memberships and community affairs).
After back-to-back away defeats, Bayer 04 Women now face their penultimate home fixture of 2026 as they welcome Hamburg to the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion on Saturday (14:00 CET) seeking three important points in the Google Pixel Bundesliga.
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Several Werkself players are set to represent their national teams during the final international break of 2026. Here’s an overview of who has been called up and what matches they will face in November. This article will be updated regularly.
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After three consecutive wins in the Europa League, the Werkself suffered their first European defeat of the season against Marseille. In a first half with few chances, the Black and Reds gradually gained more and more control of the game, but were unable to convert that advantage into goals. Miguel Gutiérrez came closest to putting Leverkusen ahead with a shot that hit the crossbar. In the second half, the French side produced clinical finishing, with Amine Gouiri scoring from a counter-attack to make it 1-0 (77’). Right up to the final whistle, the Werkself threw everything forward in search of an equaliser, but were unable to find a way back into the game.
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Bayer 04 are riding a wave of success on the European stage: After three wins from their first three games and as the only team yet to concede a goal, the Werkself sit second in the table in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League. With another three points in their first-ever competitive match against Olympique Marseille on Thursday night, 5 November (kick-off: 21:00 CET), Bayer 04 could leap to the top of the table. Meanwhile, the French side are riding the wave of a winning streak in Ligue 1, but are yet to pick up any points in the Europa League. For one Werkself player, Thursday night will mark a reunion with his former team-mates. Today’s matchday news.
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The Bundesliga has finalised the fixtures for matchdays 12 to 18 of the 2026/27 season. Here is an overview of the dates.
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