Back
25.01.2023Bayer 04

News in brief #B04BOC: First home game in 2023 - Palacios tribute ahead of kick-off

The first Bundesliga home game in 2023 is coming up. The Werkself entertain VfL Bochum at the BayArena today Wednesday 25 January (kick-off: 20.30 CET/stadium opens: 18.30 CET). Here is the latest match information…
crop_20221112_JS_B04_VfB_2354.jpg

#B04BOC – match facts

Bayer 04 have won 18 of the 27 Bundesliga home games to date against Bochum (four draws, five defeats) – the Werkself only have a higher points return in home games against FC Augsburg (2.3) than against Bochum (2.1) of all the current Bundesliga clubs. Equally positive: The Black and Reds have scored at least one goal against Bochum in the last 18 Bundesliga home meetings – with an average of 1.9 goals per game). The Werkself do not have a longer run of goals in home games against any other team in the Bundesliga than the one from Castroper Straße.

Get your tickets for the home game Bochum

tribute for world cup winner Palacios

There is a very special highlight ahead of kick-off at the BayArena: Werkself player Exequiel Palacios, who won the World Cup with Argentina in December, will receive a tribute in front of the fans for winning the biggest title in international football. The Bayer 04 managing directors Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes will join the fans in paying tribute to the world champion.

cancer screening campaign #STELLKREBSVOMPLATZ

For the match against Bochum, Bayer 04 have joined with Bayer Vital in raising awareness of a very special issue and are campaigning under the slogan #stellrebsvomplatz (#sendcanceroff) to promote screening for the early detection of prostate cancer. Before kick-off: Both the Werkself and the Bochum line-ups will come together for a team photo with the campaign banner. A video will also be played showing Lukas Hradecky, Robert Andrich and Kerem Demirbay plus Bayer 04 medical director Carl Heinrich Dittmar promoting screening.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer amongst men with over 60,000 cases per year. Prostate cancer can very often be treated if identified early enough. Only a quarter of men over over 45 take up the offer of screening. “At Bayer 04, we have made urological screening an integral part of medicals,” said Dr. Dittmar.

Half-time interview with  TSV Athletes

Three TSV Bayer 04 athletes plus Elisa Senß, captain of the Bayer 04 Women’s team, will be interviewed by stadium announcers Pitti Dahl and Tobias at half-time. The game against Bochum marks the start of the second Bayer Sports Family Week. A ticket for the Bundesliga match can be used for four more home games in Leverkusen. Any fan with a Bochum ticket can watch the Werkself, the Women’s volleyball players, the TSV Bayer 04 Giants, the handball team plus the Bayer 04 Women’s team at their home games in the coming days.

Werkself Live out now

Anyone wanting to read key information on the game against Bochum should get hold of a copy of the latest Werkself LIVE. The matchday magazine, providing facts and stats on the clash, is available at the BayArena. Alternatively, it is available free of charge online. In addition, the current programme contains a big poster of our Argentinean World Cup winner Exequiel Palacios. HERE is the e-paper.

Werkself_Live_B04VFL.jpg

focus on vfl bochum

Even though the long winter break has intervened, Bochum can boast a short run of success: The 3-1 victory over Hertha Berlin last weekend was the third Bundesliga win in succession for the team under coach Thomas Letsch. The final two matches of last year saw VfL beat Borussia Mönchengladbach (2-1) and FC Augsburg (1-0). The deserved win against Hertha saw Bochum move up above the relegation zone for the first time since matchday two. The lowdown on our next opponents.

Gerach is the ref

The German Football Association (DFB) have appointed referee Timo Gerach as the match official for the game against Bochum. This is the first Bundesliga match in charge for the 36-year-old. Gerach's assistant referees on the touchline are Dominik Schaal and Robert Wessel with Günter Perl in action as the VAR.

Werkself Radio and Live text updates

As ever, anyone unable to be at the game against VfL, can follow the match on Werkself Radio. The audio broadcast begins 30 minutes before kick-off with commentary provided by Cedric Pick and Niko Hartmann. In addition, updates are provided by live text to ensure you do not miss anything in the game. Both Werkself Radio and the live text update service are available at bayer04.de as well as on the Bayer 04 app – join us.

Related News

Culbreath und Falkenberg
Bayer 04 - 25.06.2026

Pro contract until 2031: U19 international Montrell Culbreath signs new deal with Bayer 04

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended youngster Montrell Culbreath's contract once again. Having only signed a deal with the Bundesliga club until 30 June 2030 in January, still as an U19 player, the attacking midfielder, who's since established himself in the first-team squad, has penned a new contract valid until 30 June 2031. Culbreath joined the Werkself academy in 2023 and made 16 first-team appearances in the 2025/26 season in the Bundesliga, DFB Pokal and Champions League, scoring one goal.

Show more
Piero Hincapie
Bayer 04 - 25.06.2026

Purchase option activated: Hincapie completes permanent move to Arsenal

Ecuador international Piero Hincapie, who moved to Arsenal FC on loan from Bayer 04 Leverkusen for the 2025/26 season, will join the English champions permanently on 1 July 2026.

Show more
B04_POKAL_RUNDE1_FIXTURE_16x9_DE.jpg
DFB-Pokal - 24.06.2026

DFB Pokal: Away tie at Wehen Wiesbaden on a Saturday afternoon

The date and kick-off time for Bayer 04’s match in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal have been confirmed. The Werkself face SV Wehen Wiesbaden on Saturday afternoon, 22 August, at 13:00 CEST. The German Football Association (DFB) announced this today, Wednesday. The Pokal tie against the Hessen state cup winners will be played at the BRITA Arena. Ticket information to follow at a later date.

Show more
Fernando Carro
Bayer 04 - 24.06.2026

Fernando Carro to Lead Bayer 04 Delegation to Brazil During FIFA World Cup

Bayer 04 Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro will lead a club delegation to Brazil from July 2-6 for a program of partner engagement, community activities and football development initiatives across São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Show more
Achim Feifel und Amy Wrigge
Women - 24.06.2026

Bayer 04 extend contract with striker Amy Wrigge

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract of promising striker Amy Wrigge on a long-term basis. The 18-year-old Germany U19 international, currently recovering from a torn cruciate in her left knee, has signed a new contract to 30 June 2029.

Show more