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.
There won’t just be plenty of excitement on the pitch as Bayer 04 host Borussia Dortmund at the BayArena at 18:30 CET on Saturday. Outside the stadium there will be collection points for food donations to the Leverkusen Foodbank, which will also benefit from the profits of a jersey raffle in the Fanwelt afterwards. There will also be a minute’s silence before kick-off following the passing of long-time Werkself player Dieter Herzog, before two fan clubs are honoured for their decades-long support at half-time and fans receive a talk about Orange Day, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
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Bayer 04 go into the first of two successive clashes with Borussia Dortmund boosted by their Champions League win at Manchester City. Ahead of the Bundesliga top match on Saturday, 29 November (kick-off: 18:30 CET), coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the tight schedule, BVB's strengths and returning squad members.
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Borussia Dortmund are doing very well in terms of points and results in the Bundesliga, the DFB Pokal and the UEFA Champions League. BVB have only suffered two defeats to date this term. Now coach Niko Kovac's team are away to the Werkself on Saturday night, 29 November (kick-off: 18:30 CET) in the top match on Bundesliga matchday 12. The two teams meet again three days later in the DFB Pokal Round of 16 tie in Dortmund. Two very competitive encounters are on the cards. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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The Bayer 04 Women clcoked up a 3-2 win in a friendly against Twente Enschede on Thursday afternoon in the last international break of 2025. In drizzle, Lilla Turanyi (16’), Kristin Kögel (65’) and Paulina Bartz (69’) scored the goals for the Werkself against the Dutch Eredivisie Vrouwen leaders, who are still unbeaten in the league.
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