The Werkself completed their final pre-match training session at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium in the morning before heading off to Freiburg. By then at the latest, it was all about full focus on the clash with SC Freiburg on Sunday 1 November.
As usual, you can follow the away game on Werks 11 Radio at bayer04.de plus on the Bayer 04 app. Niko Hartmann and Cedric Pick will get you in the matchday mood for #SCFB04 from 15.00 CET – join us!
Results have been good against Freiburg: Over the past three seasons, the team led by head coach Peter Bosz have not lost to SCF (3 wins, 3 draws). The Werkself have only conceded one goal in those six games and have kept eleven clean sheets in 18 meetings since 2011. Lukas Hradecky and Co. would be happy to keep that going on Sunday…
Fritz Walter led Germany to a surprise World Cup win as captain in 1954. ‘The Miracle of Bern’ – he played a crucial role in this story. To date, the only citizen of honour of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate was twice champion of Germany with FC Kaiserslautern in a playing career at the club that lasted over 30 years. The third division club play at the Fritz Walter Stadium. It is clear: ‘The hero of Bern’, with a pronounced community streak, still enjoys a special status in German football almost two decades after his death.
Leverkusen’s sporting managing director Rudi Völler, who was the Germany coach in 2002 when Fritz Walter passed away, dedicated the World Cup quarter-final against the USA (1-0) to the playmaker with the game played four days after his death. Völler often met Walter after the end of his career in 1959 and he says about the football legend today: “An incredibly down-to-earth and modest man. An unwilling post-war hero who the country needed him to be. As the coach of the national team at the 2002 World Cup I discovered his significance for German football when we received the sad news of his death. The success story of football in Germany is inseparable from Fritz Walter and the heroes of Bern.”
The DFB has awarded the Fritz Walter medal since 2005 in cooperation with the Fritz Walter Foundation since 2009. This honour applies to the best youth talent in Germany and is awarded to U17, U18 and U19 players. In addition to Kai Havertz, Julian Brandt and most recently Florian Wirtz, eleven other Werkself players have received this special award during their time under the Bayer Cross.
31 October 1970 was a milestone in the history of women’s football in Germany. On this day 50 years ago, women’s football was officially adopted in the constitution of the German Football Association (DFB). Bayer 04 has been part of that history since 2008 and now has five women’s and female junior teams and the club looks back at the foundation of its own women’s section. “Women’s football is a great sport and has been an important part of our club for many years. The women players are role models for countless girls and women. In my eyes, it’s incredible how late this was recognised in Germany. But to be honest: We still have a lot to do to further establish women’s football,” said Thomas Eichin, head of youth and women’s football at Bayer 04. On that anniversary, Bayer 04 look back at the foundation of the club’s women’s section – more information is available HERE.
Bayer 04 are again strongly represented in this year's Bundesliga Team of the Season from the games manufacturer EA Sports. Five Werkself players have been voted into the top XI for the 2024/25 season, a duo from the Bayer 04 Women's team are in the female Bundesliga TOTS. Bayer 04 were well represented last season with six male players in the top eleven, the most players from one club.
Show moreA few weeks ago Borussia Dortmund were marooned in mid-table mediocrity in the Bundesliga. Then the Black and Yellows started a run that overcame all comers. And suddenly a Champions League spot was again within reach. BVB will be looking to take the next step towards the big target at the BayArena on Sunday, 11 May (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). Coach Niko Kovac has almost his full squad available. The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show moreIn the long and renowned career of Jupp Heynckes his two years at Leverkusen fill a short chapter. Nevertheless, his work under the Bayer Cross between 2009 and 2011 left its mark. The former world class striker and coach with a worldwide reputation was also very successful here and he led the Werkself to the runners-up spot in the Bundesliga and he made a lasting impression on many people at the club. Jupp Heynckes today celebrates his 80th birthday. Many happy returns from Bayer 04 as we look back at two great years.
Show moreA cracker of a semi-final at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The Bayer 04 U19 team entertain Bayern Munich on Saturday, 10 May (kick-off: 11:00 CEST/stadium opens: 10:00 CEST). In front of a home crowd, the team led by head coach Sergi Runge, who welcomes back an attacking player, is looking to build on the battling performances from the previous knockout games and "perform at the right moment." Tickets are available from the Bayer 04 online shop and the game will also be broadcast live on Sky.
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