Back in Leverkusen: After a total of twelve Werkself players were on the road with their national teams last week, Gerardo Seoane was able to welcome back the first returnees to training on Thursday morning. Edmond Tapsoba, Moussa Diaby, Odilon Kossounou, Lukas Hradecky and Jonathan Tah were the first five internationals to complete their first training session in the shadow of the BayArena.
The South American international players Exequiel Palacios, Charles Aránguiz and Piero Hincapie only return to Germany today and they will rejoin the squad tomorrow (Friday).
Speaking to the media, Seoane spoke about the international break and the numerous call-ups as follows: I'm always very keen to follow the international games and the performance of our players called up. Of course, you always have one eye on their fitness. But I always prefer it if the players get to play. That shows they've produced the performances to get there. And they also keep in a rhythm. There are obviously benefits of players staying here as we can control their workload," said the Swiss coach.
The 43-year-old coach was positive about Charles Aránguiz playing for Chile: "Charly has been hit with a lot of injuries in recent years but he's been completely free of problems for several games. He always produces good performances in whichever role he plays for us. To that extent, it's important for him to be at 100% so that he can keep in rhythm over a longer period of time and we don't have to take any risks."
Seoane highlighted the attitude of the midfield maestro: "He's very professional, works a lot, is focused and he knows his body. He has a role model function in our team. He's always the first there and one of the last to go."
For the home game at the BayArena against Hertha Berlin on Saturday 2 April (kick-off: 15.30 CEST), there will be a large number of closures affecting S-Bahn and motorway traffic due to the work on infrastructure for the Rhein-Ruhr-Express: S-Bahn trains between Cologne and Düsseldorf terminate at the Chempark station. From here there is a replacement bus service to Langenfeld – the same applies in the other direction.
All visitors planning to travel by rail are advised by Bayer 04 to take the RB 48 to the Leverkusen-Manfort station. From there there is a 20-minute walk to the BayArena.
From Friday 1 April (22.00 CEST) to Monday 11 April (05.00 CEST), the Willy-Brandt-Ring between Carl-Duisberg-Straße and Edith-Weyde-Straße will be completely closed to road traffic as well as pedestrians and cyclists. The motorway exit from the A3 interchange for Leverkusen city centre is closed. Diversions will be shown for road traffic.
Car drivers wanting to reach the Kurtekotten car park via the A3 should come off the motorway in Köln-Mülheim and head for the car park via the B8 in the direction of Leverkusen (Düsseldorfer Straße). Otto-Bayer-Straße is recommended for satnav use. Car drivers who have parking permits around the BayArena recommended to use the A3 taking the Leverkusen-Opladen exit. From there, the car parks (green and red) will be signposted.
Bayer 04 recommends all fans to arrive early at the game. The BayArena opens two hours before kick-off at 13.30 CEST.
Lothar Matthäus talked about a possible call-up to the Germany squad for Robert Andrich in an article in the Bild Zeitung. The Germany international with the record number of caps compared the Werkself number 8 to Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich): "Robert Andrich is a similar player to Kimmich. At Leverkusen he’s shown he has the answers on the pitch." The TV pundit also shared a prediction: "I think he – if he maintains his performances – will get the call from Hansi (Germany coach Flick, ed.).”
Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.
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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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Rogier Meijer is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and returning to his native Netherlands: The 44-year-old will take over at Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam on 1 July. Meijer has been part of the Werkself coaching set-up since the start of the 2025/26 season - first as assistant coach to Erik ten Hag, then on Kasper Hjulmand's staff.
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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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