Bayer 04 have two games to play this term. After the goalless draw at Bremen and the day off at the start of the week, the focus of captain Charles Aránguiz and Co. will be completely on the next match from Tuesday – and it promises to be a good one: On Saturday, 15 May (kick-off: 15.30 CEST), Union Berlin visit the BayArena. A win against the team in eighth place would put the Werkself in the Europa League next season. To ensure the best possible preparation, head coach Hannes Wolf will hold training sessions every day this week.
Players, coaches and staff can still sleep at home with their families. Following training on Wednesday, the quarantine training camp decided by the German Football League (DFL) will start. In the period up to the last game of the season at Borussia Dortmund (22 May), the Bayer 04 team and staff will stay at the Lindner Hotel BayArena and be on the training ground.
Germany team doctor Tim Meyer believes it is realistic to see fans back for the start of the next Bundesliga season. “It definitely won’t be 100 per cent full straight away but hopefully games behind closed doors will not be needed if we assume the predictions regarding the infections are correct,” according to the head of the sports medicine/ special match in the Welt am Sonntag.
Regarding the start of the 2021/22 season on 13 August, Meyer said: “I hope and believe the protective measures can be significantly reduced next season.” The basis for the return of fans to stadiums is reduced incidence and, above all, a high rate of vaccinations.
Do you remember? Exactly eleven years ago, the farewell game for Bernd ‘Schnix’ Schneider was staged at the BayArena. Pure excitement, emotional words, numerous contemporaries on the pitch and 20,000 frenetic Werkself fans – it was a perfect stage for the last performance by our legendary number 25. HERE is the report from Bayer 04 TV again.
One year before Bernd Schneider joined Leverkusen, a certain Christian Wörns left the Werkself in 1998. The Mannheim-born player held the Leverkusen defence together for seven years. Wörns was in the Bayer 04 team that won the DFB Cup in 1993. He ended his playing career in 2008 and is now the coach of the Germany U19 team. Bayer 04 wish Wörns many happy returns on his 49th birthday.
The former Werkself head coach Jupp Heynckes celebrated his 76th birthday on Sunday. He was the Bayer 04 coach from 2009 to 2011. Belated congratulations, Don Jupp!
Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
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Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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The Bayer 04 Women’s squad for the coming season is continuing to take shape: Centre-back Emily Wallrabenstein has moved to Leverkusen from Eintracht Frankfurt’s reserve team, who play in the Women’s Bundesliga 2. The 19-year-old has penned a contract until 30 June 2028.
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Bayern 04 Women have confirmed another summer signing, with midfielder Paulina Platner moving to Leverkusen from SGS Essen. The 20-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the Werkself.
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