Three Werkself players were in action in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday night – and all were winners. Lukas Hradecky was in the Finland team that won 2-1 in Bulgaria. In spite of an early opener on seven minutes and a second goal in added time at the end of the first half, Finland still had work to do. On the hour mark, our number one was tested from twelve yards out. The Bulgarian Galin Ivanov aimed the spot-kick to the left but Hradecky made a great save. And that scene was repeated eight minutes later. Bulgaria were again awarded a penalty and this time Hradecky was helpless – he was unable to keep out the shot to the bottom left corner.
Aleksandar Dragovic and Julian Baumgartlinger lined up for Austria against Northern Ireland in the match at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna with Dragovic being substituted on 46 minutes and Baumgartlinger on 78. The game ended in a 2-1 victory for Austria. The international break comes to an early end for Dragovic as a booking means he is suspended for Wednesday’s game against Norway.
Both national teams are still in the running in terms of the table: Finland have 12 points from five games in Group 4 in League B and are second behind Wales (13 points). The final clash between the top two teams is on Wednesday 18 November at 20.45 CET. The final Nations League game for Austria against Norway on Wednesday (20.45 CET) is about holding on to top spot. At the moment, Austria head Group 1, League B with twelve points ahead of Norway (9 points).
At the start of November, the Werkself were in Israel in the UEFA Europa League at the Israeli cup winners Hapoel Be’er Sheva (4-2). Bayer 04 TV filmed the players on the trip and were not only close-up at the European game at the HaMoshava Stadium (in Petach Tikva) but also there for the team’s arrival and departure plus immediately before and after the match. Fernando Carro, chairman of the board, also talks about the tour. Click HERE for the film (in German).
The Bayer 04 fan club Nordkurve 12 have launched a special campaign in Leverkusen: The new project bears the name ‘Leverkusen – Seite an Seite’ (side by side). The aim is to support small businesses, restaurateurs, artists and clubs during the pandemic.
This is how it works: The fan club has been selling T-shirts and tote bags for €10 each on their website since Sunday 15 November. NK12 produce the items at a cost price of €5 and the profit – also €5 – goes to the business that the purchaser or donor can choose for themselves. Log on to support restaurateurs, artists and clubs in our city.
A rare sight: Then BayArena will again be lit up in purple from 17.00 to 22.00 on Tuesday 17 November. Bayer 04 are making a colourful statement for the fifth time on World Prematurity Day. Under this year’s motto ‘Strong start for little heroes’, the team at the the mother and child centre at the Leverkusen Clinic are taking part in the worldwide information campaign on premature births and their consequences. Bayer 04 are showing solidarity with the doctors, nurses and parents of premature babies with the BayArena lit up in purple – buildings all over the world will also be lit up in purple at the same time including the Charité in Berlin, the Empire State Building in New York and the Niagara Falls in the USA/Canada.
Passion and emotion are part and parcel of football. The coronavirus pandemic and associated matches behind closed doors also play a part. The sentiments of fans are mostly found on the Internet. The result of a survey of around 250,000 contributions on Twitter in the month of October reveal that no club has been insulted online more than Schalke 04. One reason may be the results on the pitch: The Royal Blues have yet to secure a win this season. The study also shows the sporting success of clubs can mellow fans. With league leaders Bayern Munich, the insult rate is lowest at 0.5 per cent. Bayer 04 are just behind Bayern on 0.8 per cent. The Werkself are unbeaten in the new Bundesliga season and are currently fourth in the table.
Our former defender was 45 on Sunday – Bayer 04 wish Boris Zivkovic a belated happy birthday. The Croat played for the Werkself from 1997 to 2003 and he scored eleven goals and provided nine assist in 211 games. He was in the Champions League final in 2002. Zivkovic hung up his boots at the end of his playing career seven years later.
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04 Women's 0-2 loss at 1. FC Nürnberg on Matchday 8 of the 2026/27 Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga.
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After nine points from their first three away matches of the 2026/27 season, the Bayer 04 Women suffered their first away defeat on Sunday afternoon. The 2-0 defeat away to FC Nürnberg, who were winless before today, represented a setback for coach Roberto Pätzold’s team in the race for the top spots in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga. Fany Pronietz scored both goals (62’, 85’) for the home side.
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The Werkself still have a score to settle with TSG Hoffenheim: Bayer 04 lost both matches against the Kraichgau side last term – after the Black and Reds had won all the previous five encounters. Leverkusen are currently on a roll and looking to kick off a new winning streak against TSG in Sinsheim on Sunday 25 October (kick-off: 15:30 CET), and Patrik Schick is keen to continue his current run of form. However, it will not be easy, as coach Christian Ilzer’s team have also gained confidence recently. Today’s matchday news.
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A look at the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga table ahead of the Werkself's clash at 1. FC Nürnberg leaves little discussion: Bayer 04 Women go into Sunday's meeting at the Max-Morlock-Stadion (16:00 CEST) as clear favourites. Coach Roberto Pätzold explains what's needed for the fourth-placed team against the second-from-bottom in order to make it four wins from four away matches this season.
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Following the start of construction on the Talent House in mid-August, an important staffing decision has been made: Michelle Böhmke will join the project team on 1 January 2027 and take over as director when the centre opens, which is planned for summer 2027. The 36-year-old former SGS Essen player previously worked, amongst other roles, as educational director and academy school head at Hertha Berlin.
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