Back
27.11.2018Bayer 04

Herrlich announces rotation for home game against Ludogorets

Bayer 04 are already through to the knock-out rounds so now it is all about winning the group. In Thursday's final home fixture in the Europa League group stage the Werkself entertain the Bulgarian champions Ludogorets (18.55 CET). Heiko Herrlich's team are looking to hold all the cards as leaders of Group A ahead of the final away game in Larnaca (13 December).
20181127_training_CK6P3761.jpg

"We said from the start we wanted to finish top of the group. Nothing's changed in that respect," said Heiko Herrlich after the Tuesday morning training session as he clearly set out the target for Thursday. Nevertheless, the Werkself head coach will use the confirmed progress to the Round of 32 to give some of the players with less match time under their belts the  opportunity to play against Ludogorets and "show what they can do and stake a claim for a place in the team."

The two Bender brothers missed full training in the first session of the week on Monday and instead completed individual sessions in the gym at the BayArena and Aleksandar Dragovic plus Jakub Bednarczyk trained on their own on a neighbouring pitch. Long-term injury Pohjanpalo (rehab training) and Tin Jedvaj (muscular problems) missed the Tuesday training session. A decision on the availability of the Croat for Thursday will be made after tomorrow's final pre-match training session.

The next and, at the same time, final open training session of the week will be held on Friday at 11.00 CET.

Related News

LIVE ab 14.50 Uhr | Bayer 04 - KRC Genk | Testspiel
Werkself-TV - 29.07.2026

LIVE from 14:50 CEST | Bayer 04 vs KRC Genk | Friendly

The Werkself continue their 2026/27 pre-season preparations with their third friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion on Wednesday 29 July (kick-off 15:00 CEST). Werkself-TV is broadcasting the match live and in full in a stream from 14:50 CEST...

Testspiele_Live_Uebersicht_Genk.jpg
Bayer 04 - 28.07.2026

Log on and watch live: Stream Werkself pre-season games

Bayer 04 are back on the pitch. Following the first training sessions, the Werkself play the first pre-season friendly on Saturday, July 18. The match against Oberliga club Sportfreunde Baumberg kicks off at 15:30 CEST in Monheim am Rhein. Fans unable to attend the match can watch head coach Carles Martínez’s first game in charge for free via a livestream at bayer04.de and on the Bayer 04 app, as well as on Werkself.tv (exclusively for members). Just log on and watch the games live. All the other Werkself preseason friendlies leading up to the 2026/27 season will also be streamed live for free.

Show more
Bayer 04-Fans in der BayArena
Bayer 04 - 28.07.2026

New season, improved catering: Enhanced service at the BayArena

Bayer 04 is redesigning the public catering at the BayArena and Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion for the start of the 2026/27 season. Together with new catering partner Aramark, processes will be developed and the service at the stadium will be improved in a targeted way.

Show more
Bayer 04-Frauen
Women - 28.07.2026

Bayer 04 confirmed as a DFB women’s talent development centre

The German Football Association (DFB) has officially recognised Bayer 04 as a centre for the development of female talent for the 2026/27 season. The club was awarded that role on 1 January 2026, and this status has now been renewed.

Show more
Andrea Natali
Bayer 04 - 28.07.2026

Andrea Natali joins AZ Alkmaar on permanent deal

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have sold young defender Andrea Natali to AZ Alkmaar on permanent terms. The 18-year-old Italian was on loan at the Dutch club last season, where he mainly played for the reserve team in the second division.

Show more