At the age of 26, the Jena-born player joined Bayer 04 from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer of 1999. The midfielder went on to make over 260 appearances for the Black and Reds and he developed into a key player and a crowd favourite. Schneider was twice a Bundesliga runner-up with the Werkself (2000 & 2002), played in the 2002 Champions League final and in two DFB Cup finals (2002 & 2009).
‘Schnix’ ended his contract with Bayer 04 at the age of 36 on 26 June 2009. A back injury in April 2008 put an end to his career on the pitch. His contract with the Werkself was due to run to the end of the 2009/10 season.
In the first half of the testimonial, the midfield maestro played for the ‘Schnix All Stars’ and for Bayer 04 in the second 45. The game ended in a 6-5 win for the All Stars. In addition to current players, Schneider’s call was taken up by former teammates including Diego Placente, Michael Ballack, Zé Roberto, Oliver Neuville, Dimitar Berbatov and Ulf Kirsten – and it was an emotional and unforgettable night for ‘Schnix’, the scorer of four goals, together with the fans.
The obligatory substitution on 65 minutes and a full lap of honour in front of the fans was followed after the game by a farewell party in the Premium Lounge at the BayArena that included speeches from Rudi Völler and Wolfgang Holzhäuser plus Reiner Calmund.
The ‘Schnix All Stars’ line-up: Bräutigam (Lehmann 46’) – Bindewald (Gebhardt 27’/Zimmermann 54’), Nowotny, Zivkovic (Schur 61’), Placente (Babic 52’) – Schneider (Beinlich 46’), Ramelow (Brinkmann 61’), Hamann (Ziegner 46’/Ballack 66’), Zé Roberto – Neuville (Berbatov 25’), Bastürk (Kirsten 31’/Rink 58’)
This afternoon, Saturday 24 January (kick-off: 15.30 CET), Bayer 04 host SV Werder Bremen, who are winless in their last seven league games. Nevertheless, in their last outing, a 3-3 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt, where they conceded a late equaliser, the Green and Whites did show their team spirit. The Werkself, led by birthday boy Patrik Schick, will be looking to counter this and secure their first three points of the new year on this ‘!Never Again’ remembrance matchday to commemorate the victims of National Socialism. Read on for the latest information in today's matchday news.
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Happy birthday, Patrik Schick! On his special day, it's not just the Czech striker who can look forward to lots of presents and hopefully many more goals – Bayer 04 fans can also get their hands on a free number 14 print when they buy a Werkself jersey today, January 24! In addition, a match-worn jersey belonging to the now 30-year-old will be raffled off among all purchasers next week.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 2-1 win at 1. FC Union Berlin on the 15th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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Despite a severely depleted squad and being a player down, the Bayer 04 Women made a winning start to their 2026 campaign. Coach Roberto Pätzold's team won 2-1 at newly promoted FC Union Berlin on Friday night thanks to a last-minute goal. Vanessa Fudalla scored from a direct free-kick (78') and Kristin Kögel (90+2’) in stoppage time for the Werkself, who were reduced to ten players on 68 minutes, on an atmospheric stage at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. As a result, the Black and Reds are now fifth in the table for at least one night at the start of matchday 15.
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The Werkself are looking for the first win of the new calendar year: Ahead of the sold-out Bundesliga home match against SV Werder Bremen on Saturday, 24 January (kick-off: 15:30 CET), head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about taking chances, possible winter transfers and a “Lion" returning to the Leverkusen matchday squad.
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