The Werkself started training this week on Monday afternoon without Sven Bender: The Bayer 04 number five picked up a foot injury in Saturday's 3-0 win in the friendly at Sportfreunde Siegen and is likely to be out of action for a couple of days. In contrast, there was positive news for Dominik Kohr who completed two one-on-one sessions on the training ground with fitness coach Daniel Jouvin on Monday following his knee injury – the 24-year-old may return to full training in the next few days. The same applies to Panos Retsos who will have a carbon splint fitted on Tuesday after his metacarpal fracture – he is due to return to full training at the training camp in Zell am See.
The Kicker sports journal has reviewed and ranked the Bundesliga pros for last season. The rankings for the positions of central defence and goalkeeper were published in today's edition (#60): In the view of the editors, Jonathan Tah achieved fifth place in the 'International class' for his number of challenges and ability to start moves. And his fellow defender Sven Bender (fifteenth) was ranked in the 'Up and coming' group. A total of 18 players qualified. Amongst the goalkeepers, Bernd Leno also finished in the 'Up and coming' group in ninth position. The shot-stopper has moved on to Arsenal to take on a new challenge in the Premier League. His successor in goal for the Werkself, the former Eintracht Frankfurt keeper, Lukas Hradecky, was the sixth-best goalkeeper in the Bundesliga according to Kicker. Congratulations to all 04!
It's common knowledge that there are a number of motor sport fans at the Werkself. After Lars and Sven Bender went to the Austrian Grand Prix in July, Benny Henrichs and Jonathan Tah used their day off on Sunday to go and watch Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and Co. in the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim. The Bayer 04 defenders met up with a number of guests including World Champion Nico Rosberg, Germany striker Timo Werner and celebrity photographer Paul Ripke.
Werkself pro Leon Bailey had an exclusive media session at the Fritz-Jacobi-Halle in Leverkusen-Manfort. At the end of March, he was able to witness the unconventional training methods used by sprinter Gina Lückenkemper – also in relation to the forthcoming German Championships for the TSV Bayer Leverkusen athlete. After the 21-year-old successfully defended her 100-metre national title at the weekend, the Werkself number nine sent his congratulations to the athlete. The super fast Jamaican wished the top German sprinter every success at the European Championships in Berlin (7 to 12 August) in a video message.
The Werkself face fourth tier Wuppertaler SV in the third pre-season friendly tomorrow. The game at the Stadion am Zoo (Hubertusallee 4, 42117 Wuppertal) kicks off at 19.00 CET. As in Saturday's game against Siegen, Bayer 04 TV will again broadcast the match live on bayer04.de and the Werkself Facebook page. In addition, the Social Media section will be there to report via the usual club streams.
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04 Women's 0-2 loss at 1. FC Nürnberg on Matchday 8 of the 2026/27 Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga.
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After nine points from their first three away matches of the 2026/27 season, the Bayer 04 Women suffered their first away defeat on Sunday afternoon. The 2-0 defeat away to FC Nürnberg, who were winless before today, represented a setback for coach Roberto Pätzold’s team in the race for the top spots in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga. Fany Pronietz scored both goals (62’, 85’) for the home side.
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The Werkself still have a score to settle with TSG Hoffenheim: Bayer 04 lost both matches against the Kraichgau side last term – after the Black and Reds had won all the previous five encounters. Leverkusen are currently on a roll and looking to kick off a new winning streak against TSG in Sinsheim on Sunday 25 October (kick-off: 15:30 CET), and Patrik Schick is keen to continue his current run of form. However, it will not be easy, as coach Christian Ilzer’s team have also gained confidence recently. Today’s matchday news.
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A look at the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga table ahead of the Werkself's clash at 1. FC Nürnberg leaves little discussion: Bayer 04 Women go into Sunday's meeting at the Max-Morlock-Stadion (16:00 CEST) as clear favourites. Coach Roberto Pätzold explains what's needed for the fourth-placed team against the second-from-bottom in order to make it four wins from four away matches this season.
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Bayer 04 march on! On the Greek holiday island of Crete, the Werkself made it three wins from three games in the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League league phase against Greek Cup winners OFI Crete. Carles Martínez's side put on an attacking display with a total of 33 attempts, while one player in particular stood out with a brace. At the same time, they kept another clean sheet in Europe. All the reaction and analysis of the 2-0 victory in the Werkself Review.
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