Bayer 04 end the 2021/22 Bundesliga season in third place following last Saturday’s 2-1 home win against SC Freiburg. The Werkself are second in the form table for the Rückrunde level on points with RB Leipzig in first place who ended their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Arminia Bielefeld. The team led by coach Gerardo Seoane picked up an impressive 36 points in the second half of the season with a goal difference of 40 to 19 – Leipzig (42-15).
That represents an increase of eight points for the Black and Reds in the Hinrunde. Hradecky and Co. were in fourth place with 28 points after matchday 17 with 40 goals scored and 28 conceded. Over the whole season, Bayer 04 were equally effective in attack with the defence more solid in the Rückrunde.
The Sportschau named two Bayer 04 players in their team of matchday 34. Paulinho impressed in the win against Sport Club Freiburg with his “exceptional class.” The ARD TV programme explained the selection as follows: “He again and again showed his pace down the flanks and often cut inside – to pose a threat on goal himself.”
For Exequiel Palacios it was his outstanding stamina. The Argentina international was ahead of all the other players with 12.4 kilometres covered. In addition, the midfield dynamo scored the winner at 2-1 with a long-range effort from the semi-circle.
Germany coach Hansi Flick will announce his squad for the forthcoming international fixtures on Thursday 19 May. First, there is a short training camp in Marbella from 25 to 27 May and that will be followed in July by four games in the UEFA Nations League Hansi Flick.
Bayer 04 defender Jonathan Tah is in with a good chance of being called up. The Germany international with 15 caps was last called up for the last international break at the end of March. The Werkself number four has impressed during the closing stages of the Bundesliga season with consistent performances and he made a decisive contribution to Bayer 04 qualifying for the Champions League.
Mitchell Weiser helped seal the return of Werder Bremen to the Bundesliga on Sunday 15 May. The North German side, out of the top-flight for a year, will be back next season. The 28-year-old defender made 24 appearances in the second division for Werder Bremen scoring two goals and providing two assists. Congratulations on the promotion, Mitch.
Joel Pohjanpalo is currently on loan at top-flight Turkish club Çaykur Rizespor. The relegation of his loan club from the SüperLig was confirmed with a game to play but the Finland international currently shares second place in the top goalscorers’ list with 16 goals. Only Umut Bozok (18) of Kasimpasa SK has scored more.
Nadiem Amiri joined Genoa CFC in Serie A in January 2022. The big Italian club is in a relegation spot on the penultimate matchday of the season. A win next Sunday 22 May against Bologna could take Amiri and Co. out of the drop zone if their rivals lose. The 25-year-old midfielder made twelve appearances in the second half of the season and he has provided two assists to date.
With seven points, Mainz 05 are currently joint seventh, level on points with sixth-placed Bayer 04. In today’s head-to-head clash (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself must be particularly wary of the clinical Mainz strike duo. For Leverkusen fans who have left it to the last minute, there are still a few tickets available from the matchday ticket office. Those following the Black and Reds from home, on the other hand, have a choice: RTL is broadcasting the match on free-to-air TV, and Werkself Radio is also offering the expert commentary of former Bayer 04 player Falko Götz. Today’s matchday news.
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Back from the international break: On Saturday 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to Mainz 05. Ahead of the clash at the MEWA ARENA against the side currently sixth in the table, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the team’s work during the extended international break. The Spaniard also commented, when asked, on a number of squad matters, including Ibrahim Maza.
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FSV Mainz 05 went into the international break on the back of an away win at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Currently sixth in the table, the Rheinhessen side – who have been impressive on the road – now aim to continue their good start to the Bundesliga campaign at home when they face the Werkself on Saturday, 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). In terms of squad selection, Urs Fischer once again has more options at his disposal. Up front, the Mainz coach is likely to continue relying on what is currently the league’s most successful strike partnership. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Thomas Eichin has been working for Bayer 04 for six years – as Director of Professional Teams since July 2023 – and has contributed to the successful development of our club in many areas. Today, Friday 9 October, Freiburg-born Eichin is celebrating his 60th birthday. We wish him a very happy birthday.
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Together with his family, friends and close associates, Bayer 04 Leverkusen bid farewell to Peter Hermann. The club’s long-serving assistant manager passed away on 19 September following a serious illness. Today, Thursday 8 October, Bayer 04 held an event attended by around 200 invited guests to commemorate Peter Hermann’s legacy. Representatives from the DFB and the other professional clubs where Hermann worked paid their respects to him at the BayArena.
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