The first training session of the new week primarily focused on running and fitness drills – both outside the stadium as well as in the basement of the BayArena. The whole thing took place without head coach Gerardo Seoane – and that was due to a professional reason.
The 43-year-old was in Zürich to take part in a compulsory further training session organised by the Swiss Football Association. Also there alongside the Swiss football coaches was the Switzerland national coach Murat Yakin as well as the Germany coach Hansi Flick.
The bank holiday on 1 November saw the Werkself players involved in an internal Media Day after the morning session. Following the training session, Lukas Hradecky and Co. had a number of stops in the interior of the BayArena. The outcome: new YouTube formats, international contributions, photos and social media challenges. All that will be available to watch over the coming weeks on the club's media channels but we can give you a sneak preview now.
The next match for the Werkself and Gerardo Seoane is against Real Betis. The clash at the BayArena on Thursday, 4 November (kick-off: 21.00 CET – stadium opens: 19.00 CET) sees first play second in Group G. As announced on Tuesday, #B04BETIS will be live on free to air TV on RTL. Marco Hagemann and Steffen Freund are on the broadcast.
Following the brilliant Round of 16 victory against TSG Hoffenheim (7-6 on penalties), the Bayer 04 Women's team will again be focused on the DFB Cup on Sunday evening. Anna Klink and Co. will discover their opponents in the last eight from 18.30 CET. Sky will broadcast the draw live on Sky Sport Bundesliga 1 and it will also be available as a free stream on skysport.de and on the Sky Sport app.
The potential opponents: Bayern Munich, VfL Wolfsburg, FFC Turbine Potsdam, SGS Essen, SC Sand, Carl Zeiss Jena, SV Henstedt-Ulzburg..
People present at the game still talk about a unique experience they will never forget: On 2 November 2016, five years ago today, Bayer 04 travelled to London. There was a Champions League away game at Tottenham Hotspur – albeit not at White Hart Lane but instead at Wembley Stadium. As the Spurs ground was being rebuilt at the time games on the European stage were moved to the biggest football stadium in Great Britain.
Exactly 85,512 spectators were in the ground on that Wednesday evening – the Werkself had never played in front of more fans before that. The visitors from Leverkusen won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Kevin Kampl (65') and registered a first the victory on English soil.
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.
Show more
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.
Show more
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.
Show more
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.
Show more
