The annual club Media Days started on Wednesday. The Bender twins were first under the lights for photos for autograph cards, video clips and GIFs. The Bayer 04 Women were in front of the camera on Thursday and the second half of the Werkself squad will follow on Friday. We've taken a look behind the scenes for you:
The Werkself had a day to relax, clear their heads and recover on Thursday – the last day off for a while. On Friday it's full steam ahead! In exactly a week, the team under Peter Bosz will be looking to secure their place in the finals tournament of the Europa League in the Round of 16 second leg against Glasgow Rangers at the BayArena (Thursday, 6 August, 18.55 CET). Leon Bailey looks forward full of expectation: "In this season, we have another opportunity to go through to a final. We are all highly motivated and will give 100% in every game. We are in a good position and now it's our chance – for the fans and for the club!"
Bayer 04 sporting director Simon Rolfes shared his assessment of the Europa League with the media: "The run of games is an unusual challenge for everybody. Above all, you have to keep a clear mind," declared the 38-year-old. "The lads went on holiday full of disappointment. But it's all part of football being able to deal with defeats, process them and gain new motivation for the forthcoming targets. We are ready to go and very focused," added Rolfes. Further statements will be available here at the weekend.
This week's father of a second child celebrates his 28th birthday. As there is no full training session, he can spend his day off with his family. Bayer 04 wish him all the best on his birthday. Have a great day, Kevin, and enjoy your time with the new addition to the family.
Bayer 04 legend Michael Ballack is supporting his youth team club Chemnitzer FC by providing 40 signed shirts from his playing days for an auction to prevent the financially struggling club going into receivership. There are also shirts from Ballack's time with Germany and Bayer 04. Fans can place their bids with our former number 13 HERE and, at the same time, support the eastern Germany club.
Bayer 04 welcome St. Pauli to the BayArena in the Bundesliga on Saturday, with the club using the game to call for fans to donate food to the Leverkusen Foodbank.
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Bayer 04 Women are looking to finish what’s already the best first half of a Bundesliga season in their history with the huge scalp of the league leaders as Wolfsburg come to the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion on Friday (kick-off: 6.30pm CET). Victory would even see Roberto Pätzold’s side go top of the table overnight at least.
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With two days to go until the top-of-the-table clash against VfL Wolfsburg in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga, bayer04.de looks back over Bayer 04 Women's international exploits. Eleven players were in action with their countries in recent days – with mixed success. Seven of them represented either the Germany U23s or U20s, while one player scored three goals in total.
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The holders against the record winners: this high-profile clash lived up to expectations. In the DFB Pokal round of 16, Bayer 04 and FC Bayern Munich delivered a hard-fought contest. In the end it was the Werkself who progressed to the quarter-finals thanks to ruthless efficiency in attack and composure in defence. Head coach Xabi Alonso remains unbeaten against FC Bayern as Leverkusen coach after five meetings – something never achieved by a Bundesliga coach before. The Werkself Review.
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Bayer 04 claimed a 1-0 win away at Bayern Munich to reach the quarter-finals of the DFB Pokal. Nathan Tella headed in the only goal of the evening in the 68th minute for the reigning double winners in a heated affair, where Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was shown an early red card.
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