The Werkself squad will meet up at the BayArena around two and a half hours before kick-off for the 45-kilometre journey heading north on the team bus to Velbert. After an intensive week on the training ground at the BayArena, the match against the Zebras a few days ahead of the training camp in Salzburger Land is the first friendly of the preseason.
The team under head coach Gerardo Seoane will wear the new home kit in this opening match. At the start of the partnership with the new kit supplier, Bayer 04 and the top British brand Castore have come up with a special idea: Inspired by the Black and Reds supporters, the new shirt is based on the popular fan song 'Leverkusen allez' (Link to online shop). The Werkself goalkeepers will wear the new green goalkeeping shirt in the game against MSV
Anyone wanting to support the Champions League participants from Leverkusen in Velbert can buy tickets for the match at the IMS Arena from 13.30 CEST. The tickets cost €8 standing (concessions €6) or €13 for a seat, there are no additional matchday charges. All proceeds from the friendly go to SSVg Velbert.
Any fans unable to get to the match can watch the friendly against the Zebras live on the Bayer 04 official YouTube channel. Niko Hartmann, one of the voices of Werkself Radio, is the commentator on duty.
A look at the current Duisburg squad reveals that four players were at Bayer 04 in the past. While centre-forward Aziz Bouhaddouz only played for the Black and Reds in 2013/14, another current MSV trio came through the youth ranks at the Werkself: Chinedu Ekene (2006 to 2018), Kolja Pusch (2005 to 2013) plus Marlon Frey.
The latter join Leverkusen at the age of seven 2004 and went on to play in the Bundesliga. The versatile defender was at Bayer 04 for a total of 14 years – including a 12-month loan spell at FC Kaiserslautern. In an interview with bayer04.de, the 26-year-old talked about his commitment to the Werkself and friends for life from his time in Black and Red ahead of the game against his former club. Here is the interview.
There is an attractive programme of events with lots for children and whole families to do from noon around the IMS Arena. That includes a bouncy castle, food and drink and the Bayer 04 mascot Brian the Lion – there will also be plenty on offer off the pitch as part of the friendly between the Werkself and the Zebras.
The Bayer 04 U19s produced an outstanding performance despite numerous absentees to take a point against Paris Saint-Germain on Matchday 3 of the UEFA Youth League 2025/26 following on from two wins in the European youth competition. In front of 611 spectators at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium, the Leverkusen side went into the break with a 1-0 lead against the U19 team of the Champions League winners. PSG quickly turned the game around after the break, but the Werkself fought back to remain unbeaten on the European stage with this 2-2 draw thanks to a focussed defensive display.
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Raimundo Souza Vieira de Oliveira, better known as Raí, is one of the most successful players in Paris Saint-Germain's club history. In 1995/96, for example, the attacking midfielder and his team-mates secured a historic triumph when they led the French capital club to the first European trophy in winning the European Cup Winners' Cup. In an interview with bayer04.de, the 51-time Brazil international (16 goals), now a director at Ligue 1 club Paris FC, talks about his anticipation ahead of PSG's upcoming Champions League clash with the Werkself. The 60-year-old also analyses the French record champions' season to date and provides some interesting insights into the perception of Bayer 04 during his playing days.
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The reigning UCL champions visit the BayArena. The Werkself host Paris Saint-Germain on Matchday 3 of the league phase in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign tonight, 21 October (kick-off: 21:00 CEST/live on Prime Video and Werkself Radio). Bayer 04 will face a team packed with top stars. Fans must be prepared for delays and diversions when travelling to and from the match. Read on for the latest updates in our UCL matchday news.
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The Werkself host Paris Saint-Germain on the third matchday of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, 21 October (kick-off: 21:00 CEST) in what promises to be a thrilling encounter at the BayArena. Ahead of the clash against the reigning champions from the French capital, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the positive development of his team and the great qualities of PSG. Defender Loïc Badé spoke about the great motivation for the match against the top team from his home country.
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