The teams once met in the round of 16 of the 2006/07 UEFA Cup. Bayer 04 won the first leg 3-0, but despite a 2-1 defeat in the second leg, the Werkself progressed to the round of 16. Current sporting director Simon Rolfes and club representative Stefan Kiessling played in both games.
A curious feature of the Bollaert-Delelis stadium in Lens is that it is one of the few arenas where the home 'end' with the most loyal and loudest fans is located along the touchline and not, as is usually the case, behind one of the goals.
The friendly match will be streamed live in the Bayer 04 app as well as on the club's own YouTube channel and on Werkself-TV (German commentary only). ServusTV and DF1 will also broadcast the match live. In addition, the Bayer 04 live ticker (German language only) will keep you up to date so you don't miss anything of the match. Werkself-Radio will not be broadcasting.
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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The Germany U19 team were beaten 2-0 by record champions Spain in the final of the U19 European Championship in Wales. Bayer 04 players Montrell Culbreath and Francis Onyeka (on loan at SV 07 Elversberg) were in the starting line-up and played the full 90 minutes.
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Bayer 04 Women have boosted their firepower with the signing of Poland international Paulina Tomasiak. The 24-year-old striker moves to Leverkusen from Gornik Leczna in her homeland on a two-year contract.
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