Germany's second group match in the World Cup against Spain kicks off at 20.0 CET on Sunday with the live broadcast from the ZDF World Cup studio in Mainz starting one hour before kick-off. Fernando Carro will join presenter Jochen Breyer and the two 2014 World Cup winners Per Mertesacker and Christoph Kramer before and after the game as well as during the half-time break as a pundit.
To mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, significant buildings and landmarks all over the world will be lit up in orange today 25 November as part of the Orange your City campaign. Bayer 04 is also joining in with this campaign and the BayArena will be illuminated orange this evening to make a statement against sexualised violence, its causes and its effects.
Bayer 04 head coach Xabi Alonso today celebrates his 41st birthday. The former midfield maestro won the Champions League as a player with Liverpool in 2005 and Real Madrid in 2014. In addition, the Spaniard crowned his playing career by winning the 2008 and 2012 European Championships as well as the World Cup in 2010. Alonso has been in the Werkself dugout since the start of October having previously worked in the youth section at Real Madrid and also as the second team assistant coach at Real Sociedad. Many happy returns, coach!
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.
Show more
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.
Show more
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.
Show more
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.
Show more
