Maximum support for the Werkself: A total of 500 fans will support the team under head coach Gerardo Seoane at the away game at Mainz on Friday night, 18 February (kick-off: 20.30 CET). Bayer 04 have sold the whole allocation of away tickets.
The Seoane team go into the match against Mainz on the back of four league wins in succession with the most recent a 4-2 home victory over VfB Stuttgart. Following another impressive attacking performance from the Black and Reds, youngster Florian Wirtz has been included in the top teams of the matchday in BILD and kicker. The football journal gave the 18-year-old a high mark of two as did the Rheinische Post and the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger.
Kai Havertz scored the winner for Chelsea in last summer's Champions League final against Manchester City. The homegrown Bayer 04 player kept his nerve in the biggest game of his career to date when he was through in a one-on-one with the City keeper. Havertz rounded Ederson and scored the only goal of the game.
The 22-year-old, who developed into a world-class player in his ten years at Leverkusen, was in another final with Chelsea at the weekend. The Premier League club faced the Brazilian team Palmeiras, winners of the South American Copa Libertadores, in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup. With the score at 1-1 after 90 minutes, the match went into extra time with Havertz again keeping his nerve as he scored the winner from the penalty spot on 117 minutes. Congratulations Kai.
Another Werkself homegrown player had every reason to celebrate at the weekend. Benjamin Henrichs, at Leverkusen from 2004 to 2018, was a winner with RB Leipzig at FC Köln. Ahead of the 3-1 victory, with the 24-year-old playing the full 90 minutes, the Germany international got in the mood for the clash on the Rhine with the following words on social media: "It's a derby for me – let's go!" Congratulations on the 'derby win', Benni.
The clubs in the FLYERALARM Women's Bundesliga have unanimously voted against exclusion from the German Football Association (DFB) and voted in favour of the formulation of an amendment. The target is sustainable professionalisation of the first and second divisions under the DFB, above all "quick and sustainable development" in the areas of marketing, media and matchday operations. The amendment, drawn up in recent weeks, has now been finalised and is to be presented to the general meeting of the DFB on 11 March.
A wonder goal: 15 years ago today, on 14 February 2007, Bernd Schneider scored a back-heel goal against Blackburn Rovers in the Round of 32 of the UEFA Cup. The goal putting Leverkusen 3-1 up (final score 3-2) was voted Goal of the Month on ARD Sportschau. You can see the goal again HERE.
Exciting experiences and exclusive insights into the Werkself and the BayArena awaited the young footballers from the BA04 Football Academy Guangzhou in China during their visit to the Rhineland this week. As well as taking part in a joint training session with the Bayer 04 Football Academy, the youngsters marvelled at the Bundesliga club’s stadium during a guided tour. The highlight of the visit was a private press conference with former Bayer 04 striker Stefan Kießling, during which he shared tips from his own career with the young players. On Saturday afternoon, 10 October, the group will round off their visit by supporting the Werkself in the away match in Mainz.
Show more
Fun, games and promising talent: At the fourth Bayer 04 Junior Girls’ Talent Day at the Kurtekotten training centre, 90 football-mad girls had the chance to put themselves forward for the Werkself youth teams. During a 90-minute training session, children born between 2011 and 2019 had the chance to demonstrate their skills.
Show more
Despite the international break, numerous Werkself fans turned up at the BayArena on Saturday 3 October. The occasion: Bayer 04, together with Bayer Vital and main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer, organised a Health Day. In the stadium’s Premium Lounge, guests listened to fascinating talks on the subject of cancer, featuring, amongst others, Bayer 04 record appearance holder Rüdiger Vollborn and former Werkself player Hans Sarpei. Afterwards, young and old alike enjoyed interactive stations such as a grip strength test and eye pupil test.
Show more
In issue #56 of Werkself Magazine, Afonso Moreira offers some interesting insights into his home country, Portugal, as part of the ‘Sag mal’ (Tell me) feature. Among other things, the 21-year-old talks about his favourite places in the country on the Iberian Peninsula, the local cuisine and music, as well as heroes and historical figures beyond the world of football. ‘Sag mal’ with Afonso Moreira!
Show more
