News in brief: Brych to referee #WOBB04 – Wirtz up for award

The DFB have appointed Dr. Felix Brych as the referee for the game at the Volkswagen Arena. The 46-year-old has previously taken charge of 40 Bayer 04 matches, with 23 ending in victory for Leverkusen (D5, L12). Brych has handed out 58 yellow cards and three reds in those games.

His assistants are Mark Borsch and Stefan Lupp. Frank Willenborg is the VAR.

fond recent visits to wolfsburg

The Werkself are unbeaten in their last five Bundesliga visits to Wolfsburg, earning 13 of a possible 15 points. That’s the same amount as in the first 19 games combined. VfB Stuttgart are the only other current Bundesliga club against whom Bayer 04 have picked up so many points from their last five away meetings.

Deposit donations for Ukraine

Today’s game sees Wolfsburg begin a donation campaign to help those who have had to flee from Ukraine. Both home and away fans at the Volkswagen Arena are able to donate the deposit from their cups to a good cause. The donations will go to the German Red Cross in Wolfsburg. There are 32 collection points around the stadium where you can donate.

Wirtz nominated for Kids’ Choice awards

Nickelodeon have been holding the Kids’ Choice Awards for a number of years, but this time Florian Wirtz is one of the nominees for the Favourite Footballer category. You can cast your vote on the German Nickelodeon homepage by 6 April. Bayern Munich’s Thomas Müller won the award in 2019, following on from former Leverkusen midfielder Toni Kroos. Click HERE to vote!

happy birthday, calle!

Carsten Ramelow joined Bayer 04 from Hertha Berlin in January 1996. The 21-year-old midfielder probably didn’t know at the time that it would be the last move of his career. Calle found a home with the Werkself, making 437 competitive appearances before retiring in 2008. He was even named one of the club’s honorary captains. Ramelow turns 48 today, so happy birthday!