Flight number X3 8904 took off from Cologne/Bonn Airport at exactly 12.10 CET. After 70 minutes in the air, there was a short coach journey from the Václav Havel Airport to the team hotel. The city of Prague, normally popular with tourists, is also affected by the coronavirus pandemic; the streets are emptier than usual in the city on the Voltava river.
For the Black and Red delegation, there was a short break on the agenda after lunch ahead of setting off to the Eden Arena in the late afternoon for the press conference and final pre-match training session. That is the venue for the Europa League clash with Slavia Prague on Thursday night, 29 October (kick-off: 21.00 CET/live on DAZN, RTL Nitro and Werks11 Radio at bayer04.de)
Following Monday night’s 3-1 home win against FC Augsburg, regeneration was primarily on the agenda for the Werkself. “The game was very intensive. It did us good to have won the game in the end,” recounted Julian Baumgartlinger ahead of the flight to the Czech Republic. Looking at the forthcoming opponents in the Europa League, the 32-year-old sees “a very talented and hard-working team. They showed their quality last year in the Champions League. But we want to play with the dominance we showed against Nice – and again take the three points.”
Let’s take a brief look back at Monday night: It was a decision that set off vocal protests from FC Augsburg players, , coaches and management: 34 minutes into the Werkself home game against FCA (3-1), referee Sören Storks awarded Bayer 04 a free kick. However, the handball in midfield was committed by Exequiel Palacios. In response, the Werkself head coach Peter Bosz ordered the free kick to be played back to Augsburg. “I did issue the instruction but it’s not worth talking about,” said the Dutchman. “That’s all part of fair play.”
From the Europa League via the Bundesliga to the DFB Cup: As announced by the German Football Association (DFB) on Wednesday, the draw for the second round proper will be on 8 November. The draw will be broadcast live on ARD from 18.30 CET, albeit due to the coronavirus pandemic from the studio in Cologne rather than the German Football Museum in Dortmund. DFB vice-president Peter Frymuth will make the draw.
The Werkself coasted through the first round with a 7-0 victory over Regional League North side Eintracht Norderstedt. The next round of the cup is planned for 22 and 23 December and that also represents the final competitive match in 2020 for Bayer 04.
Nadiem Amiri celebrated his 24th birthday on Tuesday. Bayer 04 send belated congratulations; the Ludwigshafen-born player as been at the Werkself since the summer of 2019. The reason the 24-year-old feels so much at home under the Bayer Cross and the special significance of the Rhine can be read HERE.
Torben Hoffmann, with 19 Bundesliga appearances for the Black and Reds between 1999 and 2001, was also a year old on Tuesday. The Sky reporter is now 46. Again, belated happy birthday, Torben!
A day later than the duo, former Werkself keeper Frank Juric celebrates his birthday on Wednesday – and he is now 47 years old. The Australian was at Leverkusen for five years from 1999, making eleven Bundesliga appearances for the Black and Reds during that time. Since May of last year, Juric has been working as goalkeeping coach at the Australian top-flight club Western United. Bayer 04 send digital birthday greetings to the other side of the world. Best wishes!
Today sees Bayer 04 go head-to-head with their next direct rivals in the race for Champions League qualification (kick-off 15:30 CEST). Opponents Stuttgart are currently fifth in the table, level on points with the Werkself but one place below them due to a three-goal inferior goal difference. The Black and Reds' record at Bad Cannstatt tells a clearer story: they've not lost at VfB for over 16 years. One important factor in securing what would be three crucial points away from home is Leverkusen's strength on the counter-attack. Whilst Stuttgart are also extremely dangerous going forward, they will be without their captain. Today’s matchday news.
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Another showdown in the race for the Champions League places takes place in Swabia: on Saturday 9 May (kick-off 15:30 CEST), the Werkself visit VfB Stuttgart, who are only behind on goal difference. In his pre-match press conference, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about confidence, excitement and mentality.
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Reinforcement in attack: Bayer 04 Leverkusen have secured the transfer of striker Maja Sternad from Bundesliga rivals SV Werder Bremen. The 22-year-old has signed a contract until 30 June 2028.
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It's a thrilling situation: as the season draws to a close, Stuttgart and Bayer 04 are heading into the home stretch almost neck and neck. After 32 games, with 17 wins, seven draws and eight defeats each, both teams are on 58 points. Even in terms of goals scored, VfB and the Werkself are level on 66. The Black and Reds have conceded just three fewer goals (43) than their rivals (46), which is why they sit one place behind fourth-placed Leverkusen. This Saturday, 9 May (kick-off: 15.30 CEST), the two teams go head to head at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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