There was a very special sports lesson on the agenda for 15 schoolchildren in the afternoon: The youngsters aged 6 to 10 eagerly took part in a kick-about with the Werkself players Nadiem Amiri and Selina Ostermeier in the school gym.
The two Bayer 04 players, complete with their tricks, drew great admiration in a hard-fought 4-4 draw – and they had as much fun as the youngsters. "It was great today. It was real fun to do something different in the afternoon," said Amiri. "There really are lots of kids with talent… And I thought my dribbling was particularly good today," joked the midfielder.
Central defender Ostermeier also enjoyed the change from the usual training sessions. "It was really great fun, it was something different and something really special for the children," she said: "There was huge joy when we came in." The 24-year-old was reminded of her own childhood. "I can imagine how special it is for the children. It makes it even better if we can make them happy with a visit like this."
Amiri and Ostermeier were then happy to sign autographs for the children and pose for photos together. Bayer 04 mascot Brian the Lion also joined in and ensured beaming faces from the primary school children.
The Leverkusen city manager Mark Adomat drew a positive conclusion after the event. "The children were full of enthusiasm and the players joined in brilliantly. Next episode to follow," he said: "Something like this right in the middle of the district is incredibly important. Because Bayer 04 is part of the city's culture."
The head of sport at the primary school was also happy. Andreas Kittel said: "The children really enjoyed it. We saw how great their enthusiasm was," he said: "You can see that Bayer 04 is deeply rooted in the region and nearly everybody here has a connection to the club."
The young school students have another highlight to look forward to: They will all receive free tickets for the Werkself Bundesliga home game against Freiburg on Sunday 29 October (kick-off: 17.30 CET, BayArena) where they will be able to support Amiri and Co. at the stadium.
The Werkself are organising district matchdays for this and next season. At selected Bundesliga home games, a different district of Leverkusen is the focus of activities with the players. For example, Bayer 04 will visit kindergartens and schools, organise fan festivals, penalty tournaments, and stage competitions as well as lots of other events.
Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.
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Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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