The Bayer Cross was first on the Werkself shirt in 1936 but as the group logo was already in the club logo, Bayer AG decided in 1990 to advertise their own products from the start of the New Year. The management swapped the the Bayer Cross for a colourful chameleon and the wording ‘Talcid’ and the heartburn treatment was advertised for five years. The Werkself played in the kit with advertising for the first time exactly 20 years ago on 23 February 1991 in a home game against Bayern Munich (final score 1-2).
That was followed by the Bayer products Alka Seltzer (1995-1997) and Aspirin (1997-2000). In 2000/01 Bayer 04 were the last German professional club to have an external sponsor on their shirt: RWE (2000-2007), TelDaFax (2007-2011), Sunpower (2011-2013), LG (2013-2016) and Barmenia (since 2016).
Following on from last month’s Sky TV programme ‘Stars of the Bundesliga’ featuring Lucas Alario, now it’s the turn of another Werkself player: Leon Bailey will be the focus of the 30-minute broadcast. The programme will go out on Thursday 25 February from 21.00 to 21.30 CET on Sport Bundesliga 1 and will then be available online to subscribers at sport.sky.de.
A joint campaign from the worlds of sport, culture and science has published a study in Berlin on the return of spectators at big events. 20 scientists from a range of disciplines, with the support of 40 cultural and sporting institutions have drawn up a three-stage plan for the gradual return of spectators. The campaign is also supported by big sports associations – including the German Football Association (DFB). The road map presents different models for indoor and outdoor events that involves a staged increase in spectators for each event. The aim of the campaign is not to put pressure on the politicians regarding the question of timing (“when”) but instead showing which measures can be successful (“how”).
Two former Bayer 04 players celebrate their birthdays on this Tuesday. Benjamin Henrichs (2004-2018 at Bayer 04) was born 24 years ago. The homegrown Leverkusen talent is currently on loan at RB Leipzig from AS Monaco and he is now playing alongside former Werkself player Kevin Kampl. Congratulations go in the direction of Saxony. Birthday greetings also go to Croatia. Kyriakos ‘Papa’ Papadopoulos (2014-17 including loans at Bayer 04) is currently at NK Lokomotiva Zagreb in the Croatian first division. He is now 29 years old. Many happy returns.
Carsten Ramelow started his success story under the Bayer Cross 25 years ago today: He made his debut in a Werkself shirt in the bundesliga home game against Borussia Mönchengladbach on 23 February 1996. The winter signing played the full 90 minutes in a match that ended in a goalless draw. That was followed by 436 more appearances for the Werkself. After hanging up his boots, he was the second Bayer 04 player after Ulf Kirsten to be named an honorary captain.
This Tuesday is the anniversary of another Black and Red historical event: Manuel Friedrich scored the only goal of the game on 85 minutes with a long-range effort against Schalke 04 on 23 February. The strike from the defender was long and unforgiving for the then Schalke keeper Manuel Neuer as it flew into the top corner – a sheer delight. That impressive shot was voted Goal of the Month in February 2008 by viewers of the Sportschau programme.
The penultimate Bundesliga matchday of the calendar year marks the end of an eventful first half of the season for the Bayer 04 Women. After seven wins, one draw and four defeats from the first twelve games of the season, coach Roberto Pätzold's team can go above Werder Bremen in the table with a win on Friday, 12 December (kick-off: 18:30 CET).
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The third showdown in the VBL Club Championship 2025/26 kicks off for the Leverkusen eSports team this Thursday, 11 December (live on the B04eSports Twitch channel from 19:00 CET). In the online preliminary round, the Black and Red will once again take on six previously drawn opponents for a place in the Top 16 and the associated entry into the offline knockout round, which will take place at this third showdown on 19 December in Cologne. Showdown One winners Bayer 04 will face FC St. Pauli, who won the second showdown last month, among others. The lowdown on first three opponents in this online preliminary round.
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Alejandro Grimaldo, of course! With his late equaliser (88') in the Champions League clash against Newcastle United, the Spaniard rescued a point for the Werkself, who took the lead through an own goal by Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes (13') but went with two goals for the visitors scored by Anthony Gordon (51') and Lewis Miley (74'). It was the third draw for Bayer 04 in the current 2025/26 campaign on matchday 6 in the UCL league phase.
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The Werkself will be looking to continue their run in the Champions League against Newcastle United on Wednesday, 10 December (kick-off: 21:00 CET). The two victories without conceding a goal at Benfica (1:0) and Manchester City (2-0) will hopefully be followed by a win at home at the BayArena. Against the English side, who have a player with a Black and Red past in their ranks, the way to victory could be through efficiency in attack and quick transitional play. The latter in particular has recently caused the Magpies problems away from home on the European stage. Fans can also get the stylish matchday sticker for their Sound of Dreams tour pass at the Bayer 04 Fanwelt. The matchday news.
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For the first time ever, Bayer 04 have reached the knockout phase of the UEFA Youth League. At the end of the league phase, the Leverkusen U19s secured a 2-1 home win against Newcastle United on Wednesday, 10 December. Montrell Culbreath scored before half-time and Ferdinand Pohl doubled the lead after the restart in the clash with the English side. The UCL youth competition continues at the beginning of February with the Round of 32, which will be played away from home without a second leg.
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