With two and a half weeks to go until the end of the season in Germany's top flight, the DFL, with the support of the video game producer Electronic Arts (EA), has launched the vote for the Team of the Season. Based on official match data from the Bundesliga, the 40 players nominated have all impressed this season. That includes a quintet from Bayer 04 made up of Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, Moussa Diaby, Kerem Demirbay and Patrik Schick.
The vote opened on this Wednesday evening at 19.00 CEST and runs to Sunday 1 May (19.00 CEST). The announcement of the final Team of the Season will be made on Friday 13 May. And the Player of the Season will be announced three days later. This will be decided by votes from the fans for the Team of the Season plus club and pundit votes.
You can vote for the Werkself players here.
A panel will decide which eleven players end up in the team of the season. This is made up of pundits (30% of the vote), Bundesliga legends and selected media partners. In addition, the votes from the fans have a 40% share and 30% is made by the team captains of the 18 Bundesliga clubs.
The eleven best players will be part of the Bundesliga Team of the Season and they will have significantly better values on FIFA 22.
The facial expression fitted in with the beaming sunshine over Leverkusen: The first training session of the week saw Jeremie Frimpong return to the pitch by the BayArena – in football boots and a good mood as usual. While his teammates worked out under head coach Gerardo Seoane, the right-back first greeted all the staff members next to the pitch, had a brief exchange with sporting director Simon Rolfes and then began his individual training routine with fitness coach Daniel Jouvin. That involved passing and sprinting drills.
"His training today was part of the rehab," said head coach Gerardo Seoane after the session. "But he is making good progress so we decided in discussion with the medical staff to bring the player on a bit quicker. It would be desirable for him to have a clean bill of health before the summer break. That would definitely feel good for him."
The 21-year-old Dutchman suffered an ankle injury in the 1-0 home defeat to FC Köln on 13 March. Frimpong underwent a successful operation a few days later under Dr André Morawe at the Aptos Orthoparc clinic in Cologne.
After Lars and Sven Bender risked their necks fighting for Bayer 04 for many years the twins retired from professional football last summer. They enjoy great respect as before in and around Leverkusen thanks to their undying commitment and there permanently honest approach. Reason enough to celebrate the two former Germany internationals on their 33rd birthdays with a review of some of their most successful and emotional moments.
In addition to numerous videos and photos on the social media channels, the new Bayer 04 app features an exciting Bender special of the 11 quiz with interesting questions for Lars and Sven. Test out your knowledge. If you don't have the new app yet, you can download it here.
The former Werkself head coach Roger Schmidt will take over the helm at Benfica. The top Portuguese club today confirmed "fundamental agreement on the appointment," with just formalities left to clear up.
The 55-year-old German coach, in the Leverkusen dugout from July 2014 to March 2017, announced in the middle of February that he would be leaving the top Dutch team PSV Eindhoven at the end of the season. Schmidt takes over from Nelson Verissimo in Lisbon.
It is 35 years ago since a certain Knut Reinhardt joined the Werkself at the tender age of nine. Coming from TuS 05 Quettingen, the midfielder remained under the Bayer Cross for an impressive 14 years and he won the UEFA Cup with the senior team in 1988. The home-grown Leverkusen player moved on to Borussia Dortmund three years after the big win. Reinhardt opted for an unusual path after ending his career as a player in 2001. He became a teacher and is now working at a school in Dortmund. The Hilden-born player today celebrates his 54th birthday – many happy returns from Bayer 04.
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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