TSG Hoffenheim have not lost more home games in the Bundesliga against any other club than Bayer 04 (eight as with Bayern Munich). TSG have only let in more goals at home against Borussia Mönchengladbach (28) than against the Werkself (26).
German professional football is paying tribute to the victims of the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria. The German Football League (DFL) have recommended a minute's silence at fixtures in the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 on the current matchday. The victims of the earthquake will also be remembered today ahead of kick-off at the PreZero Arena.
The Werkself goalkeeping coach David Thiel suffered a muscular injury in training and – as with the warm-up for the goalkeepers at today's game including Lukas Hradecky – he will have the support of Jan Conradi (goalkeeper coordinator at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre).
Last weekend's 5-2 defeat at VfL Bochum caused consternation amongst many people involved with TSG. "For some inexplicable reason, we weren't at it for the whole game and this negative run has to finally come to an end," said goalkeeper Oliver Baumann after the tenth match without a win. Hoffenheim stalwart Sebastian Rudy was equally baffled: "I don't know what we've done here. We give away goals, lose challenges and mess up our games." Eight defeats, two draws: That is the sobering return for TSG since the middle of October 2022. With the introduction of experienced winter signings and a new head coach in the dugout, TSG will be looking for a change of fortune in the home game against Bayer 04. Here is the profile of today’s opponents.
The German Football Association (DFB) has appointed Tobias Stieler as the referee for today's game in Sinsheim. This will be the 25th match involving the Werkself with the 41-year-old in charge. Stieler will be assisted by Christian Gittelmann and Philipp Hüwe plus Tobias Welz as the VAR.
As usual, anybody unable to be at today's game can tune in to Werkself Radio. The audio broadcast starts 30 minutes before kick-off with commentary provided by Cedric Pick and Niko Hartmann. The latest information can also be gained from live text updates to ensure you don't miss any of the action. Both Werkself Radio and the live text updates can be found bayer04.de as well as on the Bayer 04 app .
One of the longest serving players at the Werkself celebrates his birthday today: Jonathan Tah, at Leverkusen since 2015, is now 27 years old. The Hamburg-born defender has made an impressive 283 appearances (8 goals, 11 assists) for Bayer 04 and Tah has played in every Bundesliga match this term. Many happy returns, Jona!
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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