Lucas Alario has impressed Bayer 04 fans: In last weekend's home win against Augsburg, our number 13 scored a brilliant goal with a back-heel on 81 minutes. With an assist from Robert Andrich, The Argentinian forward put the ball through the legs of the FCA keeper Rafal Gikiewicz to make it 5-1 and his goal has been voted Goal of the Month for January, presented by like2drive. Congratulations. Alario's impressive feat can be seen again HERE.
Willibert Kremer, the coach of the Werkself side promoted in 1979, passed away on Christmas Eve last year at the age of 82. Invited guests paid their last respects to the legendary Bayer 04 coach this morning at the VIP marquee at SC Victoria Köln where Kremer was a player and later also coach. The Bayer 04 managing directors Fernando Carro and Rudi Völler were there along with former general manager Reiner Calmund and several players from the promotion team of 1979 who were coached by Kremer. Rest in peace, Willibert.
The Werkself wish many happy returns to three birthday boys from the Black and Red family today.
First up is Sidney Sam who is 34 today. The former winger made 124 appearances for the Werkself between 2010 and 2014 scoring 36 goals during his time at Leverkusen. The left-footer ended his playing career last summer after spells at FC Schalke 04, Darmstadt 98, VfL Bochum, SCR Altach (Austria) and Antalyaspor (Turkey). At the end of his career, Sam was a guest on the Werkself podcast. Episode number 39 with the Kiel-born player is available free of charge at any time on the usual podcast platforms.
Many happy returns also to Jurica Vranješ on his 42nd birthday. The former Croatia international joined Bayer 04 Leverkusen from his hometown club NK Osijek at the turn-of-the-century and in 2001 he was part of our #RoadToGlasgow team. Vranješ moved on to VfB Stuttgart after three years with the Black and Reds.
Bayer 04 also wish a happy birthday to Dominic Kohr who is 28 today. The holding midfielder played for the youth teams at Leverkusen from the age of 15 and went on to make 69 appearances for the senior side and 33 for the second team. The midfielder is currently at Mainz 05 on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt.
On 25 May, the Werkself have the chance to follow up their Bundesliga title by winning the DFB Cup. The many travelling Bayer 04 fan are set to provide the necessary support for the clash against 1. FC Kaiserslautern. So that as many of you as possible can create an unforgettable atmosphere on the day, the Bayer 04 Club is offering travel for all holders of a ticket for the cup final. Supporters without a valid ticket are not entitled to apply for a place on the special train.
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Listen up, Black-and-Red fans: on 24 May, the night before the DFB Cup final between the Werkself and 1. FC Kaiserslautern, Bayer 04 is holding a big club party in the heart of Berlin. Tickets go on sale on Friday 3 May at 12:00 CEST. Full details.
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Like last season, the Werkself visit AS Roma in the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League. The first leg kicks off tonight, Thursday 2 May, at 21:00 CEST. All the key info on the clash at the Stadio Olimpico is in the Matchday News.
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The Werkself are back in the Eternal City with the UEFA Europa League final once again in their sights. It was a year ago that they lost the semi-final first leg here 1-0 and subsequently missed out on the showpiece. Now Xabi Alonso’s side again face Roma with a chance to put that right, starting with Thursday’s first leg (kick-off at 9pm CEST). Ahead of the game, Alonso and former Roma man Patrik Schick spoke at the press conference about a change of approach and the opposition’s new coach.
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