The recent Euros and their effect on German football, youth development at the clubs, financial models in competition with international rivals but, above all, the targets and mutual expectations of the Bundesliga 2 clubs Fortuna Düsseldorf and FC Köln and the top-flight sides Borussia Mönchengladbach and Bayer 04 were the most important of many subjects on an informative and entertaining evening. Under the guidance of RP editors Jannik Sorgatz and Gianni Costa, Fortuna Düsseldorf’s Klaus Allofs, FC Köln’s Christian Keller, Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Roland Virkus and Simon Rolfes took part in a roundtable discussion dealing with lots of matters succinctly but also with humour.
To what extent predictions and expectations can be met will start to be evident on Friday in the Bundesliga when Borussia Mönchengladbach entertain the champions of Germany, DFB Pokal and Supercup winners Bayer 04 in the first game of the new league campaign with the kick off at 20.30 CEST.
Photo: Andreas Bretz
In the 3-2 defeat at Bundesliga newcomers SV 07 Elversberg, the Werkself found the back of the net in the closing stages and, with a bit of luck, could still have equalised. “Today, our play wasn’t good enough, particularly when it came to the basics,” said head coach Carles Martínez. Like the boss, Ibrahim Maza also wants to learn from the match and look ahead: “Next week, people should be able to see from the very first minute that we want it more than our opponents.” The Werkself review on the Bundesliga opener in 2026/27.
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No points to start the league campaign: Bayer 04 lost 3-2 away to newly promoted SV 07 Elversberg in the first Bundesliga match of the 2026/27 campaign. Two quick-fire goals from Lukas Petkov (8’) and Cole Campbell (10’) gave the hosts an early lead, before David Mokwa scored the Saarland side’s third shortly after half-time (46’). In the closing stages, the Werkself rallied and staged a late comeback with goals from Patrik Schick (77’) and Christian Kofane (90+1’), but the Black and Reds were denied an equaliser.
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The Black and Reds kick off the new Bundesliga campaign today, Saturday 29 August (kick-off 15:30 CEST), away to newly promoted SV 07 Elversberg – and the Werkself will come up against a familiar face who is currently causing a stir at ‘Elv’. For an affordable and easy journey to the Saarland, the 1,600 travelling fans can still use the WERKSELFgo car-share platform. Today’s matchday news..
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The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
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Following their successful start away to RB Leipzig, the Bayer 04 women’s team are set to play their first home match of the new Bundesliga season on Sunday. The Werkself host VfL Wolfsburg at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium at 16:00 CEST. Coach Roberto Pätzold is hoping for a courageous performance against the seven-time German champions.
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