
Inclusion, integration plus the promotion of social interaction are just a small selection of themes that are an inherent part of the Bayer 04 DNA. Between 22 March and 18 April, the Werkself will report on the club's own channels how these issues are brought to life in and around the BayArena, the Kurtekotten Performance Centre and the other Bayer 04 venues.
Nina Brüggemann, defender in the Women's Bundesliga team, is an ambassador for the Werkself as part of the #Morethanfootball Action Weeks. The 28-year-old explains: "Football is more than just a sport. It connects people worldwide including off the pitch. For many years, the club Bayer 04 have broadcast important messages on issues such as equality, diversity and sustainability. In the future that has to be carried forward and developed as social responsibility. We are #Morethanfootball.”

Emrehan Gedikli, a member of the first-team squad at Bayer 04, is also an ambassador. The 17-year-old talent says: "For young athletes like me it's important to think about the future alongside work on the pitch. Therefore I'm happy that I am able to continue my vocational training at Bayer 04. I'm learning new things every day – both on and off the pitch. We are #Morethanfootball.”

Lukas Hradecky, Werkself goalkeeper, also talks as a member of the Leverkusen ambassador group: "The love for football made us into professional athletes. Without that passion none of us would be where we are now. We share this passion with millions of football players across the world. A passion that connects us all – on and off the football pitch. We are #Morethanfootball.”

At the Women's team home game against Eintracht Frankfurt (26 March) and the Werkself home game against Schalke 04 (3 April) there will also be a range of messages relating to the #Morethanfootball Action Weeks. A Europe-wide virtual human chain made up of players, fans and club management will be the highlight of this year’s campaigns that Bayer 04 are supporting as an active member of the European Football for Development Network (EFDN).

Bayern Munich come to the BayArena this Saturday with an 11-point lead in the Bundesliga as they look to take a step closer to the title. As imperious as they may seem, a weakness has emerged of late that the Werkself proved they can exploit in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the Champions League. Leverkusen are also looking to make it four Bundesliga home games unbeaten against the Bavarians. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the 15:30 CET kick-off in our matchday news.
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Another home game, another top opponent - another marker? Three days after their convincing performance in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg, Bayer 04 continue their Bundesliga campaign with an equally high-calibre fixture. Matchday 26 sees league leaders Bayern Munich visit the sold-out BayArena. Ahead of the clash, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about a comparison between Arsenal and the Bavarians, Bayern's high-scoring performance in Europe's premier club competition and a return to the squad for one Werkself player.
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High spirits and previously untold stories: Around 100 Bayer 04 fans packed the Schwadbud fan pub in the east stand of the BayArena on Thursday evening to be there in person for the first instalment of the new series of events entitled “Rudi lädt ein” (Rudi invites you). They listened intently as long-serving Werkself players Gonzalo Castro and Stefan Kießling chatted with record appearance-maker Rüdiger Vollborn and presenter and stadium announcer Tobias Ufer about their many years together at the club, shared amusing anecdotes and revealed dressing room secrets. Anyone who missed the premiere can already look forward to the second instalment – on 12 May, Rudi will be testing the expert knowledge of Bayer 04 fans during a quiz night.
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The Bundesliga home game against VfL Wolfsburg in the first half of the season was one of those classic ‘days to forget’ for Bayer 04 Women. It started with goalkeeper Charlotte Voll being shown a red card in the first minute of the game, and following a further sending-off, coach Roberto Pätzold's 9-women side ended up losing 5-1 to last season's runners-up. At 18.30 CET on Sunday, they'll have the chance to exact revenge at the AOK Stadium - and pick up valuable points in the race for third place.
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They're well on their way to becoming German champions for the 35th time and once again proved their incredible class in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. This Saturday, 14 March (kick-off: 15.30 CET), Bayern Munich will be the visitors to the BayArena. It'll be a meeting of the two Bundesliga teams with the most dominant styles of play. A look at our opponents shows the visitors from the Bavarian capital have many strengths - but are also vulnerable.
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