
The Lower Rhine company DERBYSTAR this morning presented the official match ball for the next Bundesliga campaign. As with this season, two striking colours dominate – next term it is dark blue and orange. The material of the new Bundesliga Brillant APS is identical to its predecessor.

DERBYSTAR has provided the Bundesliga official match ball since 2018/19 and recently agreed a contract extension with the DFL to 2026.
Before the new season in Germany’s top flight kicks off, this summer sees the European Championships played across the continent. As confirmed by the German Football Association (DFB) on Tuesday, Germany coach Joachim Löw will announce his preliminary squad for the tournament on 19 May. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 61-year-old will be able to take 26 players to the Euros this year – three more than usual. Löw will reveal his final squad on 1 June with the opening match being played on 11 June. The first game for Germany is four days later against the World Cup winners France. The other group opponents are Portugal (19 June) and Hungary (23 June).
The long-time Werkself player Michael Ballack (1999 to 2002 and 2010 to 2012) will be the TV pundit on MagentaSport for the European Championships in the summer. The former midfield maestro can call on his expertise gained from 267 Bundesliga appearances plus 98 international caps.

The Telekom sports broadcaster will show all the Euro games live, including ten exclusively. There will be up to ten hours of coverage every day.
And last but not least, we have a Black and Red TV tip for you: Bayer 04 will show all the highlights of the Werkself Bundesliga matches on the club’s YouTube channel free of charge. Click HERE for action from the game at Werder Bremen (0-0).

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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