Lars Bender sidelined
Lars Bender faces three weeks on the sidelines. The Bayer 04 captain suffered a thigh injury in last night's DFB Cup quarter-final against Bundesliga rivals Werder Bremen (4-2 after extra time).
The diagnosis of the injury was the outcome of an MRI scan carried out on the 28-year-old on Wednesday. Bender went off injured 79 minutes into yesterday's exciting cup tie at the BayArena.
Related News
Bundesliga - 08.11.2026
Werkself win 2-1 in Cologne to claim sixth straight derby win
There were celebrations among those in black and red at the RheinEnergieSTADION. On Matchday 9 of the 2026/27 Bundesliga season, the Werkself beat 1. FC Köln 2-0 and registered their sixth successive win in the derby. Aleix Garcia put Bayer 04 in front after just seven minutes with a direct free kick. Leverkusen played with discipline and energy after that and didn't allow some fierce challenges to unsettle them. Patrik Schick made it 2-0 in the 86th minute, and Said El Mala's goal in stoppage time for Köln proved nothing more than consolation. Jonas Hofmann crowned the derby win with his 100th appearance for the club.
Show more
Bundesliga - 08.11.2026
Matchday News: Werkself out to continue derby run
Bayer 04 have won each of their last five competitive encounters with 1. FC Köln, and it's around seven years since their last defeat in the cathedral city. That said, the hosts are in strong form at home and will make it anything but easy for the Werkself at the RheinEnergieSTADION on Sunday afternoon (kick-off 15:30 CET). The Matchday News.
Show more
Werkself-TV - 07.11.2026
Women: TV-highlights of 2-0 win against Hamburger SV
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04 Women's 2-0 win against Hamburger SV on Matchday 9 of the 2026/27 Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga.
Show more
Bundesliga - 07.11.2026
Our next opponents: Köln defensively solid and with more attacking options again
1. FC Köln host Bayer 04 on Sunday 8 November (kick-off 15:30 CET) in the 75th Bundesliga derby between the Rhineland neighbours. The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show more
