
From Kurtekotten to the Champions League: Born in Aachen, Kai Havertz joined Bayer 04 as a ten- year-old, progressed through various youth teams, in 2016 was a Germany U17 champion and at 17 made his debut for the first team. Kai reviews his time under the Bayer Cross on the basis of ten moments.
Coronavirus is still an issue day by day – and that's also reflected in the current edition of the Werkself Magazin. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, 67 days separated the Werkself games at Rangers and Werder Bremen. There has still been a lot of action in the background at the BayArena in spite of the enforced break. The magazine shows how Bayer 04 have dealt with the pandemic and the lockdown.
Talking about Glasgow: that was a special trip! The match at Ibrox against the Scottish giants Rangers on 12 March was the last game for the Werkself in front of spectators. As part of the report, we look back at the trip made under the shadow of the coronavirus crisis.
In addition, the Werkself Magazin takes a closer look at Exequiel Palacios – our 'gaucho with the winning gene'. Readers can get to know more about the Argentinian with the winning mentality in an in-depth profile.
Last but not least, Jörg Kappenhagen and Peter Quast – both long-standing instructors and youth coaches at Bayer 04 – talk about their interesting travels as part of the Young Coaches training courses around the globe. The conversation covers sustainable aid in developing countries, the joy of working with people from different cultures, personal demands – and about the power of football that goes beyond borders and brings people together.

With seven points, Mainz 05 are currently joint seventh, level on points with sixth-placed Bayer 04. In today’s head-to-head clash (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself must be particularly wary of the clinical Mainz strike duo. For Leverkusen fans who have left it to the last minute, there are still a few tickets available from the matchday ticket office. Those following the Black and Reds from home, on the other hand, have a choice: RTL is broadcasting the match on free-to-air TV, and Werkself Radio is also offering the expert commentary of former Bayer 04 player Falko Götz. Today’s matchday news.
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Back from the international break: On Saturday 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to Mainz 05. Ahead of the clash at the MEWA ARENA against the side currently sixth in the table, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the team’s work during the extended international break. The Spaniard also commented, when asked, on a number of squad matters, including Ibrahim Maza.
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FSV Mainz 05 went into the international break on the back of an away win at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Currently sixth in the table, the Rheinhessen side – who have been impressive on the road – now aim to continue their good start to the Bundesliga campaign at home when they face the Werkself on Saturday, 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). In terms of squad selection, Urs Fischer once again has more options at his disposal. Up front, the Mainz coach is likely to continue relying on what is currently the league’s most successful strike partnership. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Thomas Eichin has been working for Bayer 04 for six years – as Director of Professional Teams since July 2023 – and has contributed to the successful development of our club in many areas. Today, Friday 9 October, Freiburg-born Eichin is celebrating his 60th birthday. We wish him a very happy birthday.
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Together with his family, friends and close associates, Bayer 04 Leverkusen bid farewell to Peter Hermann. The club’s long-serving assistant manager passed away on 19 September following a serious illness. Today, Thursday 8 October, Bayer 04 held an event attended by around 200 invited guests to commemorate Peter Hermann’s legacy. Representatives from the DFB and the other professional clubs where Hermann worked paid their respects to him at the BayArena.
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