The match will be played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic. Werkself fans do have the chance to watch the game live. The only external friendly before the start of the season will be broadcast on Bayer 04 TV at bayer04.de and on the club’s YouTube channel.
The Werkself returned to full training on Monday morning. While the international players are on the road with their national teams, the Leverkusen players left at home face a first challenge in the clash with the Belgian side. Anderlecht are already up to speed in terms of match practice as the league started at the beginning of August. The results for the team currently eighth in the table: one win, three draws.
The 2019/20 season was abandoned after matchday 29 due to the coronavirus pandemic. RSC Anderlecht, with Vincent Kompany as player-manager, are currently eighth in the table five points behind Standard Liege who are in the qualifiers for the Europa League this term.
The most famous representative of the club from Brussels is the manager. Vincent Kompany took the helm at his former club in the summer. After coming through the youth ranks at RSC, he stepped up to the senior squad at the Violet and Whites in 2003. The central defender decided to move on to Hamburg SV three years later and then he played for Manchester City for eleven years becoming a massive club legend. Kompany was player-manager at RSC last season. The 34-year-old became head coach in the summer.
Anderlecht are one of the top clubs in Belgium in terms of youth development. Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens and many more came through the youth teams at the 34-time Belgian champions. With players like Albert Sambi Lokonga (20) and Jérémy Doku (18), the next generation of top talents are ready and waiting.
The highly successful and mutually appreciated partnership between Bayer 04 and head coach Xabi Alonso ends after two and a half years. The 43-year-old Spaniard has led the Werkself to three trophies. Above all, winning the first German league title in the club's history will always be associated with the name of Xabi Alonso. The former world class player, who won many hearts in Leverkusen as a person, now says farewell to Bayer 04. We look back at a fantastic time with the Basque who fulfilled the biggest dream of all Bayer 04 fans together with an outstanding team.
Show moreA few weeks ago Borussia Dortmund were marooned in mid-table mediocrity in the Bundesliga. Then the Black and Yellows started a run that overcame all comers. And suddenly a Champions League spot was again within reach. BVB will be looking to take the next step towards the big target at the BayArena on Sunday, 11 May (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). Coach Niko Kovac has almost his full squad available. The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show moreA cracker of a semi-final at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The Bayer 04 U19 team entertain Bayern Munich on Saturday, 10 May (kick-off: 11:00 CEST/stadium opens: 10:00 CEST). In front of a home crowd, the team led by head coach Sergi Runge, who welcomes back an attacking player, is looking to build on the battling performances from the previous knockout games and "perform at the right moment." Tickets are available from the Bayer 04 online shop and the game will also be broadcast live on Sky.
Show moreBayer 04 Leverkusen will be the first Bundesliga club to open and operate a football academy in Brazil. The "Bayer 04 Football Academy São Paulo," led by Bayer 04 club legend Paulo Sérgio, will be established on the Bayer Brazil campus in São Paulo and accommodate up to 300 children and youth ages 5 to 15.
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