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.
The Black and Reds kick off the new Bundesliga campaign today, Saturday 29 August (kick-off 15:30 CEST), away to newly promoted SV 07 Elversberg – and the Werkself will come up against a familiar face who is currently causing a stir at ‘Elv’. For an affordable and easy journey to the Saarland, the 1,600 travelling fans can still use the WERKSELFgo car-share platform. Today’s matchday news..
Show more
The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
Show more
The Bundesliga is back. On Saturday 29 August (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to SV 07 Elversberg on matchday 1 of the new season. Ahead of the clash at the URSAPHARM Arena on Kaiserlinde, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the importance of a successful start and the motivation of the league newcomers from the Saarland.
Show more
On Friday afternoon, it will be decided which eight of the 36 participating teams Bayer 04 will face in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League in 2026/27. At the draw in Monaco (live on UEFA.com), the Werkself will be drawn against two teams from each of the four pots, allocated according to the UEFA club coefficient. A match against an opponent from the same country is ruled out, as is facing more than two clubs from the same national association. Here’s a look at the pots and potential opponents.
Show more
After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
Show more
