"Bayern did dominate but we had the better chances," was the assessment by Fernando Carro, the Bayer 04 CEO, of the 1-1 draw in Munich. (Here is a link to Carro's statements on BILD TV). Jeremie Frimpong again played a big part in those promising opportunities. The Werkself's Dutch full-back once again ceaselessly ran up and down the line on his flank, was relentless in his challenges and marked FC Bayern's world-class winger Kingsley Coman out of the game as best he could.
The 21-year-old was justifiably included in the kicker Team of the Matchday. The football journal awarded a high mark of 2 for Frimpong's performance. The Rheinische Post awarded the same mark to Jonathan Tah and Charles Aránguiz. The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger gave Edmond Tapsoba a 2.5.
Once a striker for the Werkself, Stefan Kießling is now involved with coordination of the senior squad at the Werkself. The Bayer 04 honorary captain has experienced a lot before and after the end of his playing career in the summer of 2018. The 38-year-old talks about that time and current issues involving the Bundesliga in today's edition of 'kicker meets DAZN'. The podcast is available now at kicker.de, on the kicker app as well as all usual podcast platforms.
Today (Monday), Bayer 04 congratulate Patrick Schnarwiler on his 49th birthday. The Werkself assistant coach moved under the Bayer Cross last summer from Switzerland together with head coach Gerardo Seoane. The duo won two league titles and the domestic cup competition with Young Boys Bern in their home country. Schnarwiler joined Young boys in 2019 from Grasshoppers where he was assistant coach with the first team and later head coach of the U21s. His post in Leverkusen is the first outside Switzerland – and it has proved to be very successful to date. Happy birthday, Patrik.
And former Werkself player Kurt Eigl celebrates his 68th birthday today. The Hockenheim-born player signed for Leverkusen after our Bundesliga promotion season in 1979/80. Before that he played for SV Darmstadt 98 and was at Hamburg SV for four years. The midfielder won the DFB Cup (1976) as well as the European Cup Winners Cup (1977) with the Hamburg. Many happy returns, Kurt.
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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