Back
13.08.2016Bayer 04

Sun, success, sound performance - the new season is here

Joy, excitement, exhilaration - At the Bayer 04 season launch event on Saturday the perfect weather, the outstanding Werkself display in the 2-0 win against Real Sociedad in the final pre-season friendly ahead of the first competitive match of the new campaign next Sunday in the DFB Cup against SC Hauenstein ensured 23,216 fans were in high spirits. Numerous events and lots of highlights marked a long but great Bayer 04 day to put everybody in the mood for the new season.
© Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fussball GmbH

The BayArena was in ship and the Werkself supporters were treated to a day of excitement and entertainment with numerous highlights. The new Benedictine beer garden at North/West concourse was officially opened by Bayer 04 CEO Michael Schade at the start of the event. “We’ve used the summer break to further improve the service provided to Leverkusen fans at the BayArena,” declared Schade shortly after cutting the red ribband. “The new beer garden, like the Schwadbud, provides a great atmosphere for Bayer 04 fans to get together before and after matches.”

The Bayer 04 CEO the joined Werkself pro Danny da Costa and goalkeeping legend Rüdiger Vollborn on the south piazza to hand out loyalty scarves to fans who attended all Werkself home games at the BayArena last season.

Max Giesinger performs ’80 million’

30 minutes ahead of the friendly against Real Sociedad it was time for the chart topper Max Giesinger to get the Bayer 04 fans in the mood for the match from the centre circle. The singer-songwriter, wearing a Werkself shirt, performed his hit ‘80 million’ and later joined in with the autograph session. After Max Giesinger got the crowd going the atmosphere was electric when the stadium announcers Petra ‘Pitti’ Dahl and Thomas Wagner introduced the Werkself ahead of the kick-off. Every player ran onto the pitch accompanied by smoke and sound effects. Bayer 04 legend Stefan Kießling received a great reception from the Werkself fans.

The sporting climax was provided by an extremely lively Werkself side: Roger Schmidt’s team did not give an inch to the visitors from San Sebastian a week ahead of their first competitive game of the season against Real Madrid. The goals in the convincing home win were scored by new signing Kevin Volland and Chicharito. “We wanted to entertain the supporters at the season launch event. I think we’ve succeeded,” said Roger Schmidt at the end of the event.

Da Costa on live broadcast

And Werkself pro Danny da Costa, who was a guest on the live broadcast of the match on www.bayer04.de alongside Michael Schade and Hans-Peter Lehnhoff with Bayer 04 TV presenter Niko Hartmann, shared exciting insights into the mood in the Werkself camp: “Everyone here shares the feeling that we’ll have a really good season if everybody does their best.”

Da Costa declared his satisfaction with the performance of his team-mates. “The win was absolutely deserved and we could have won by a bigger margin,” said the right back who is set to return to full training in the near future following an operation to remove a pin from his shin in the middle of July.

Jonathan Tah named ‘Player of the Season’

During the half-time break the crowd showed their appreciation to the winner of the ‘Player of the Season’ vote for last season organised by the Bayer 04 Club. This year it was Jonathan Tah who came out on top ahead of Bernd Leno and Chicharito. The team autograph session proved to be a huge attraction with long queues forming as the fans waited for their heroes to give their coveted signatures.

© Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fussball GmbH

Related News

Begegnungslogo
Bayer 04 - 02.07.2025

Tickets for the friendly at Chelsea

The Werkself are away to Premier League club Chelsea in the final pre-season friendly. The game against the current holders of the UEFA Conference League is on Friday, 8 August at Stamford Bridge with the kick-off at 20:00 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales.

Show more
Begegnungslogo
Bayer 04 - 02.07.2025

Tickets for the friendly at Fortuna Sittard

The Werkself are away to Dutch top-flight club Fortuna Sittard in the third pre-season friendly. The match is on Friday, 1 August at the Fortuna Sittard stadium with the kick-off at 19:00 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales.

Show more
Begegnungslogo
Bayer 04 - 02.07.2025

Tickets for the friendly at VfL Bochum

The Werkself are away to VfL Bochum in the second pre-season friendly. The match is on Sunday, 27 July at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion with the kick-off at 18:00 CEST. Read on for the latest information on ticket sales.

Show more
Bayer 04
Bayer 04 - 02.07.2025

U21 Euros winner Jarell Quansah joins Bayer 04 from Liverpool

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed the England U21 international and European champion Jarell Quansah. The central defender joins Leverkusen from Premier League champions Liverpool on a contract to 30 June 2030.

Show more
Bayer 04
Bayer 04 - 01.07.2025

New chapter – same fire: Bayer 04 and New Balance present 2025/26 home jersey

A striking look and innovative design as an expression of a forward-looking partnership: With the official presentation of the current home jersey, Bayer 04 Leverkusen and sports equipment manufacturer New Balance start a new era in tandem. For the first partnership with a professional German club, the American company from Boston, Massachusetts has developed a creative new interpretation of the Leverkusen club colours. A row of red lines, made up of slender crosses, merges into a black background. Inspired by the world famous Bayer Cross, the jersey is a symbol of a new beginning without forgetting historical roots.

Show more