Before that, there is an extension to the 2021/22 season. The Werkself fly out to Mexico the day after the last Bundesliga match against SC Freiburg. Bayer 04 are taking part in the celebrations of the centenary of Bayer Mexico from 15 to 20 May. The Werkself play top-flight Mexican side Deportivo Toluca in a friendly on Tuesday 17 May. there are also a number of marketing and PR events plus discussions with representatives of the Mexican league as well as a cultural programme involving visits to welfare providers.
Lukas Hradecky and Co. will then go on holiday. While the international players are away with their teams in June, the rest of the Werkself squad will return to Leverkusen on the final weekend of the month. Two-day performance tests start on Saturday 25 June: Head coach Gerardo Seoane will lead the first training session at the BayArena on Monday 27 June.
The first friendly is planned for 9 July. The Werkself play MSV Duisburg on the Saturday. The Zebras secured their third class status last weekend. While the kick-off time (15.00 CEST) is already certain, the venue will be announced shortly. The teams will definitely meet here in this region.
Ten years of SalzburgerLand: Bayer 04 will again prepare for next season in Zell am See-Kaprun from 14 to 22 July. The first time in the region was in 2013 and in 2022 the Werkself will again stay at the Hotel TauernSPA in Kaprun and train at the Alois Latini Stadium in Zell am See. Two friendly fixtures are planned.
25/26 June: Performance tests at the BayArena
27 June: First full training session at the BayArena
9 July: Friendly: Bayer 04 vs MSV Duisburg, kick-off: 15.00 CEST, venue: tbc.
14-22 July: Training camp in Zell am See/Kaprun with two friendlies
29 July-1 August: First round proper in the 2022/23 DFB Cup
5-7 August: Matchday one in the 2022/23 Bundesliga season
25 August: UEFA Champions League 2022/23 group stage draw
6/7 September: Matchday one of the Champions League group stage
Sandwiched between their UEFA Champions League knockout play-off tie against Olympiacos, Bayer 04 return to Bundesliga action on Saturday with a trip to Union Berlin (kick-off: 15:30 CET). It’s a fixture of contrasting styles, with Leverkusen preferring to control the play while Union look to remain compact and counter. The Berliners are therefore suited to facing top teams, but they have only ever managed to win one of 16 meetings with the Werkself, who are looking for a fifth clean sheet of 2026 but will need to beware the home side’s threat from set pieces. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
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After six wins in seven games, the Werkself will be looking to continue their winning run in the capital at FC Union Berlin. Coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke ahead of the match on Saturday, 21 February (kick-off: 15:30 CET) about defenders, the short preparation time and the condition of the pitch at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
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Union Berlin have performed particularly well against the top clubs in the Bundesliga this season with a draw at home to Bayern Munich and wins against VfB Stuttgart and RB Leipzig. This Saturday, 21 February (kick-off: 15:30 CET), the Irons now welcome the Werkself, currently sixth in the table, to the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. And the hosts are in desperate need of a win. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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It took exactly 60 minutes for the Werkself to take the lead through a perfectly finished counter-attack by Patrik Schick in the first leg of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League play-off at Olympiacos. Referring to the meeting in the league phase and the initially squandered opportunities, coach Kasper Hjulmand said afterwards: "I thought: 'Oh no, déjà-vu.'" But after the opening goal, it took just 144 seconds for the Czech to spark more wild celebrations among those in black and red in the Greek cauldron, when Schick nodded in Alejandro Grimaldo's corner. Much to the delight of the Bayer 04 fans, his teammates and his coach, who had warm words for the striker in the aftermath. The Werkself Review.
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