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.
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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