
The man in the dark blue denim shirt looks into the eyes of readers with a confident and mischievous expression – Florian Wirtz is on the cover of the new Werkself-Magazin. ‘Der Straßenkicker’ (street footballer) is the headline on the report about the 20-year-old German international who has matured into a leader under the Cross this term and not just as a goalscorer of wonderful goals and brilliant assists but also an impressive midfield dynamo. The article on Wirtz is just one of the stories worth reading about the Werkself players: In a big interview, Alejandro Grimaldo reveals many interesting insights, and talks about his improved performances, the influence of diet on his form, his time at Barcelona and explains how his spectacular shooting technique works.“

"A defender who stands out" – this headline is above a portrait of Odilon Kossounou, who has developed brilliantly at the Werkself this season and is currently unavailable to the team due to the Africa Cup of Nations. Edition 45 of the Werkself-Magazin also contains an interview with Werner Wenning who has chaired the shareholders committee of Bayer 04 Fußball GmbH for 14 years. The Opladen-born club official talks about his own role, his great confidence in the management, a handshake with Xabi Alonso as well as the increased value of the club.
The historically successful Hinrunde for Bayer 04 with all the records and impressive numbers is listed in detail as well as other interesting facts from the Black and Red world: Patrik Schick describes his ideal player, Lukas Hradecky reveals which shirt has found pride of place on his living room wall. The upturn for the Leverkusen U19 team is also mentioned in the magazine as is the record to date of the Bayer 04 Women with striker Nikola Karczewska also sharing insights and trends from her home country of Poland. And readers can also learn what is in the memory box that Bayer 04 is taking to the senior citizens homes in the city.
All that and much more, full of fascinating photos as usual, is available as recommended reading for Bayer 04 fans in edition 45 of the Werkself-Magazin. The magazine has already been sent out to members and is now also available online.
Click here for the Werkself-Magazin #45!
The Werkself-Magazin has some new technical functions to make browsing even easier. These functions and how to use them are contained in the PDF document.

Sandwiched between their UEFA Champions League knockout play-off tie against Olympiacos, Bayer 04 return to Bundesliga action on Saturday with a trip to Union Berlin (kick-off: 15:30 CET). It’s a fixture of contrasting styles, with Leverkusen preferring to control the play while Union look to remain compact and counter. The Berliners are therefore suited to facing top teams, but they have only ever managed to win one of 16 meetings with the Werkself, who are looking for a fifth clean sheet of 2026 but will need to beware the home side’s threat from set pieces. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
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After six wins in seven games, the Werkself will be looking to continue their winning run in the capital at FC Union Berlin. Coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke ahead of the match on Saturday, 21 February (kick-off: 15:30 CET) about defenders, the short preparation time and the condition of the pitch at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
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Union Berlin have performed particularly well against the top clubs in the Bundesliga this season with a draw at home to Bayern Munich and wins against VfB Stuttgart and RB Leipzig. This Saturday, 21 February (kick-off: 15:30 CET), the Irons now welcome the Werkself, currently sixth in the table, to the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. And the hosts are in desperate need of a win. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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It took exactly 60 minutes for the Werkself to take the lead through a perfectly finished counter-attack by Patrik Schick in the first leg of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League play-off at Olympiacos. Referring to the meeting in the league phase and the initially squandered opportunities, coach Kasper Hjulmand said afterwards: "I thought: 'Oh no, déjà-vu.'" But after the opening goal, it took just 144 seconds for the Czech to spark more wild celebrations among those in black and red in the Greek cauldron, when Schick nodded in Alejandro Grimaldo's corner. Much to the delight of the Bayer 04 fans, his teammates and his coach, who had warm words for the striker in the aftermath. The Werkself Review.
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