There is good news from the Copa América: Argentina with Werkself player Exequiel Palacios were able to celebrate progress to the quarter-finals of the South American competition early this morning. A goal from Papu Gómez, a brace from Lionel Messi and a fourth strike from Lautaro Martínez secured a comfortable 4-1 win for the ‘Albiceleste’ against Bolivia and put them top of Group A at the end of the group stage with ten points from four games. Palacios, who was on the pitch for 70 minutes, and his teammates will face Ecuador in the quarter-finals of the Copa on Sunday, 4 July (kick-off: 03.00 CEST). Werkself skipper Charles Aránguiz and the Chile team, who were not in action on the final matchday in the group stage, have also qualified for the last eight with a match against title holders Brazil the day before (kick-off: 02.00 CEST). Good luck, lads!
The setting for the first competitive match for the new Bayer 04 head coach Gerardo Seoane is taking shape. On Sunday, 4 July, the draw for the first round of the DFB Cup will be held on the ARD Sportschau (18.30 CEST). Who the Werkself will meet in the first round of the domestic cup competition is in the hands of former Bundesliga player and ARD pundit Thomas Broich who will draw the balls out of the two pots in the Sportschau studio on Sunday. The first round of the DFB Cup will be played on the first weekend in August (6-9 August).
From the national to the international cup competition: When the Black and Reds start the Europa League campaign for 2021/22, Leverkusen and the other 31 teams will see a rule that has been in effect for 56 years disappear from the UEFA rule book.
As announced by UEFA, away goals will no longer count in matches in the UEFA club competitions of the Champions League, Europa League and the Europa Conference League in determining who progresses to the next round. If scores are level after the two legs then extra time and, if necessary, penalties will decide whether Bayer 04 progress the next round of the European competition – regardless of how many goals are scored away from home.
The fact changes have been made to the rules, which were applied for over half a century, was explained by the UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin in a statement: "Although there was no unanimity of opinion, a lot of coaches, fans and others involved in football questioned its fairness (the away goals rule, ed) and advocated the abolition of rule."
Bayer 04 head coach Gerardo Seoane has received the thumbs up from a former colleague. Stéphane Chapuisat, a long-standing Bundesliga player and head scout at Seoane's former club Young Boys Bern, says the 42 year-old has outstanding qualities – particularly regarding the future attacking requirements of the Werkself: "He has a good, attacking playing philosophy and I think he has the players at Leverkusen to put into action," said Chapuisat about the Werkself head coach in an interview with dpa.
Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
Show more
When Malik Tillman arrived at Bayer 04 Leverkusen from PSV Eindhoven last summer, he did more than just add attacking midfield strength to the team — he reconnected the club with a unique and understated American lineage that stretches back more than three decades.
Show more
Bayer 04 are away to third-division club SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal. That was the outcome of the draw on Saturday night, 6 June, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. The Werkself first round tie will be played between 21 and 24 August. The exact date has yet to be finalised.
Show more
Carles Martìnez is raring to go. The 42-year-old speaks in his first interview in Leverkusen about the club's development to date and how he wants to build on it. He describes his previous work in France, Kuwait, Qatar and his native Barcelona, his experience in developing young players, and the key steps between now and the start of pre-season training.
Show more
Bayer 04 plans for the 2026/27 pre-season continue to take shape. The Werkself will kick off the new season in mid-July with the return to the training ground. The highlight will be the official season opener on 8 August at the BayArena, including a friendly against La Liga club Sevilla. Friendlies in Germany will take the team to neighbouring Monheim, Offenbach and Jena.
Show more
