Simon Rolfes is first set to appear on the ZDF midday show around 13.45 CEST on Friday afternoon in conversation with presenter Norbert König to talk about the top match against the current league leaders from Munich. A few hours before the kick-off of #B04FCB, the Bayer 04 sporting director will be a guest on the Sunday morning show 'Lage der Liga' looking at the state of play in the league at 09.30 CEST. The talk show will be broadcast on the new TV channel BILD Live.
Anybody who supports the Black and Reds will also enjoy watching television on Saturday: The pay-TV channel Sky is dedicating the next edition of their documentary series 'Stars of the Bundesliga' to Werkself central striker Patrik Schick. The 30-minute programme begins at 10.00 CEST - it will be worth watching.
Back on the pitch: There was an intensive training session in the shadow of the BayArena on Thursday for Schick and Co. after an extended sprint session with fitness coach Bob Schoos, there were fast playing drills in restricted space. Taking a full part again was the recovered Edmond Tapsoba. He was joined by players returning from international duty in the shape of Andrey Lunev, Odilon Kossounou, Charles Aránguiz, Florian Wirtz and Moussa Diaby.
Another international trio consisting of Amine Adli, Jeremie Frimpong and Mitchel Bakker were at work inside the BayArena. The skipper Lukas Hradecky, who has been given a day to recover, plus the South American duo Piero Hincapie and Lucas Alario, who are in action overnight, are set to return shortly. Zidan Sertdemir is set to rejoin his teammates on the training ground on Friday.
Reiner Calmund is also looking forward to the top match at the BayArena. The legendary Leverkusen general manager sees the current league leaders from Munich as the favourites – in spite of their recent 2-1 defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt and being level on points with the Black and Reds. "We should all keep our feet on the ground. Just because Bayern have lost once, the two teams are not at all on a par," said the 72-year-old.
Nevertheless, Calli found words of praise for the team under head coach Gerardo Seoane and he says they have a good chance, particularly on the European stage: "The team play quick and attractive football. I think Bayer have more chance of winning the Europa League than being champions."
Reiner ‘Calli’ Calmund worked for TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen from 1976 as well as from 1999 to 2004 as managing director of Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH. Under his leadership, the club from Leverkusen won the UEFA Cup in 1988, the DFB Cup in 1993 and reached the Champions League final in 2001/02.
Bayer 04 again send out black and red congratulations today (Thursday): Above all, we congratulate the former Bayer 04 player Harry Gniech on his 70th birthday. Born and bred in Leverkusen, he played for the Werkself from 1966 and was the first youth player to step up to the first-team squad. He was also part of the team that gained promotion to Germany's top flight in 1978/79.
Birthday greetings also go to Henrique Buss. The Brazilian played on loan from Barcelona in the 2008/09 season. He is now 34 years old. And Thomas Reichenberger celebrates his 46th birthday. The former striker first played for the Leverkusen Reserves in 1997/98 before making 24 appearances (four goals) for the senior team in the following season. Many happy returns to all of you.
Following the summer break of around two months, the Bayer 04 first team squad took to the training pitches at the BayArena for the first time on Tuesday – and the players were in high spirits. Alongside the newly formed coaching team led by head coach Carles Martínez, new signing Afonso Moreira also completed his first session with the squad. In front of several hundred Bayer 04 fans at the open session, numerous Werkself players worked up a good sweat. The Leverkusen players who took part in the World Cup will join pre-season training at a later date.
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In mid-August, the Werkself will set off on a four-day trip to England to play their final two friendly matches of the 2026/27 pre-season against Premier League clubs Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United. The match in Nottingham against the Tricky Trees is on Wednesday 12 August at 20:45 CEST (19:45 BST) at the City Ground. The game against the Magpies in Newcastle is on Saturday 15 August at 16:00 CEST (15:00 BST) at the atmospheric St James’ Park. Details on ticket sales for both matches.
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Black and Red talent development at the highest level – even off the pitch: Apprentices Jule Suermann, Leandra Bellia and Julia Niederheide have successfully completed their two- or three-year apprenticeships at the club. Bayer 04 honoured the trio at the BayArena on Tuesday.
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Rieden reloaded: Just like last year, the Bayer 04 Women’s team are spending their summer training camp in this idyllic corner of Bavaria. From this Sunday, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team will be based in Rieden in the Upper Palatinate for a week.
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