The 19-year-old first played in a 2 versus 2 with Furky against Werkself fans. Wirtz opted for his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation and in his favourite kit, the blue Werkself away strip. With success – the two Bayer 04 players clocked up a convincing 3-0 win with Wirtz netting a brace with his virtual persona. The Werkself duo also won the second game 3-2.
Wirtz then challenged Furky to a 1 v 1 with the Werkself player getting off to a flying start with the lead on seven minutes. The eSports player was then spurred on to level and cancel out Wirtz’ lead in less than two minutes. The Werkself number 27 was finally on the wrong end of a 4-1 scoreline.
In addition to tactical tips and tricks from the eSports player Furky, Florian Wirtz also answered numerous questions from the viewers on the Bayer 04 Twitch channel. The currently injured Werkself playmaker also provided exclusive insights into life in the dressing room: "Patrik (Schick ed.) sits to my left and Jerry (Jeremie Frimpong ed.) is on my right.” The Germany international also answered the question of who is responsible for the music: “Karim (Bellarabi ed.) and Moussa (Diaby ed.) lead the way. But, above all, on the bus it's Kerem (Demirbay ed.) who offers a wide range of music so that there's something for everybody – from German rap to Latino sounds."
The question about his fastest teammate was very interesting: "With football teams that's always a touchy subject (he laughs)," said Wirtz. "Over the first few metres Jerry is ahead but after that Moussa is definitely a contender."
At the end, the Leverkusen player revealed his tip for next Saturday's Bundesliga away game at TSG Hoffenheim (7 May – kick-off: 15.30 CEST) and he is certain: "We want to ensure qualification for the Champions League next season at the weekend. Therefore I'm predicting a 2-0 win."
Good news from the training ground: Karim Bellarabi and Timothy Fosu-Mensah were able to complete their first individual training sessions. Together with fitness coach Daniel Jouvin, the two worked on a range of passing drills. But they will not play again this season.
An impressive record: Werkself centre-forward Patrik Schick became the Werkself player from abroad to score the most goals in a season last weekend. His goal in the 2-0 win against Eintracht Frankfurt was his 22nd in the current campaign.
The 26-year-old Czech Republic international puts former Leverkusen player Dimitar Berbatov into positions two and three. The Bulgarian striker scored 21 goals in 2005/06 and 20 the season before.
The top ten goal-getters from abroad:
1. Patrik Schick (2021/22 – 22 goals to date)
2. Dimitar Berbatov (2005/06 – 21)
3. Dimitar Berbatov (2004/05 – 20)
4. Bum-kun Cha (1985/86 – 17)
Paulo Sergio (1996/97 – 17)
Paulo Sergio (1993/94 – 17)
Chicharito (2015/16 – 17)
8. Dimitar Berbatov (2003/04 – 16)
Arne Larsen Ökland (1980/81 – 16)
10. Andrey Voronin (2004/05 – 15)
The Black and Reds kick off the new Bundesliga campaign today, Saturday 29 August (kick-off 15:30 CEST), away to newly promoted SV 07 Elversberg – and the Werkself will come up against a familiar face who is currently causing a stir at ‘Elv’. For an affordable and easy journey to the Saarland, the 1,600 travelling fans can still use the WERKSELFgo car-share platform. Today’s matchday news..
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The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
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The Bundesliga is back. On Saturday 29 August (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to SV 07 Elversberg on matchday 1 of the new season. Ahead of the clash at the URSAPHARM Arena on Kaiserlinde, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the importance of a successful start and the motivation of the league newcomers from the Saarland.
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On Friday afternoon, it will be decided which eight of the 36 participating teams Bayer 04 will face in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League in 2026/27. At the draw in Monaco (live on UEFA.com), the Werkself will be drawn against two teams from each of the four pots, allocated according to the UEFA club coefficient. A match against an opponent from the same country is ruled out, as is facing more than two clubs from the same national association. Here’s a look at the pots and potential opponents.
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After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
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