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 final whistle of the current 2025/26 season marks the end of a unique partnership for Bayer 04 Leverkusen. After more than three decades of collaboration and highly eventful times, the Bundesliga football club and the private brewery Bitburger are going their separate ways.
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Around four months after their bitter exit in the DFB Pokal Round of 16, the Bayer 04 Women are once again away to Hamburger SV. On Monday night (18:00 CEST), the Werkself will not only be looking to pick up important points in the final phase of the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga at the Volksparkstadion, but also to make amends for their defeat on penalties.
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A simple approach to sport with games, fun and a highlight at the end: Bayer 04 organised a very special training session for 40 participants aged between six and 27 in cooperation with the Football Association of the Middle Rhine (FVM). At the day of action for women and girls with disabilities at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre, many of the participants gained their first experience of football.
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