After over 24 hours of uncertainty for Charles Aránguiz and Co. the South American Football Association CONMEBOL has provided clarity: The Copa América, with the Werkself players Charles Aránguiz (Chile) plus Lucas Alario and Exequiel Palacios (Argentina) on the road with their national teams, will now take place – in Brazil. Due to the worsening of the pandemic in the original host countries of Argentina and Colombia, the two countries were no longer considered as venues for the continental tournament so that CONMEBOL were forced to take immediate action. The Copa América will be played from 13 June to 10 July.
The former Werkself player Arturo Vidal was also due to play in World Cup qualifiers and take part in the Copa América with Chile. Due to a Covid-19 infection, the 34-year-old has now been admitted to a clinic in the Chilean capital of Santiago de Chile with a fever and swollen glands. All the players in the Chile squad, including Charles Aránguiz, received the coronavirus vaccination last Friday. Vidal, currently at Inter Milan, will at least miss the World Cup qualifiers for his home country against Argentina and Bolivia. Bayer 04 wish you a speedy recovery, Arturo.
From the South American to the European continent: The two Werkself players Florian Wirtz and Lennart Grill are in the semi-finals of the U21 European Championship with the Germany U21s. The team under head coach Stefan Kuntz progressed in a dramatic quarter-final against Denmark with an 8-7 victory on penalties. The opponents in the semi-final on Thursday, 3 June (kick-off: 21.00 CEST) are the Netherlands who went through in the quarter-finals against the France U21 team including Moussa Diaby.
Planning for the fixture lists for the Bundesliga and second division is at a key stage. As announced by the German Football League (DFL) today (Tuesday), the fixtures for the 34 matchdays in Germany's top two divisions will be announced on the DFL website on Friday 25 June.
Bayer 04 are gaining another cup winner for the new season: VfL Wolfsburg keeper, Friederike Abt, who will play for the Werkself next season, won the Women's DFB Cup with the Wolves last Sunday. Abt replaced the Wolfsburg keeper Almuth Schult in extra time after she was sent off. The Werkself keeper to be kept a clean sheet in the Wolfsburg goal for the rest of the match and was able to celebrate a 1-0 victory in the final against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Javier Hernández, better known as Chicharito, which translates as 'Little Pea', celebrates his 33rd birthday today (Tuesday). The lively Mexican, who played for the Werkself between 2015 and 2017, made 76 appearances for Leverkusen, scored 39 goals and provided nine assists and he quickly became a real favourite of Black and Red supporters. ¡Feliz cumpleaños, Chicharito!
Bayer 04 are away at Hoffenheim for Bundesliga Matchday 3 on Saturday, 14 September. Here’s all you need to know ahead of today’s game at the PreZero Arena, which kicks off at 3.30pm CEST.
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After two away games at the start of the 2024/25 season, the Bayer 04 Women's team now have their first match of the campaign on home turf. The team led by head coach Roberto Pätzold entertain last season's third-place finishers Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday, 15 September (kick-off: 14.00 CEST).
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For the Werkself, attention now turns to the forthcoming challenge in the Bundesliga following the international break. Bayer 04 are away to TSG Hoffenheim on matchday three on Saturday, 14 September (kick-off: 1530 CEST). Ahead of the clash at the PreZero Arena, head coach Xabi Alonso talked about the short time to prepare, the opponents and his own squad.
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Loreen Bender and Sofie Zdebel are through to the quarter-finals of the U20 World Cup with Germany in Colombia. Both Bayer 04 players started in the 5-1 victory over Argentina with Bender scoring one goal and providing an assist.
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A farewell to former Werkself head coach Christoph Daum at a big memorial service on Thursday afternoon. Bayer 04, VfB Stuttgart and FC Köln took part in a joint memorial event at the Rhein Energie Stadion in Cologne. Amongst the many guests from the world of sport and the circles of family and friends was sporting managing director Simon Rolfes. Daum, who led the Werkself to three runners-up finishes and three UEFA Champions League campaigns between 1996 and 2000, passed away at the age of 70 at the end of August.
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