10.08.2024Bayer 04

Trophies, honours and surprises: The story of the 2024/25 season opener

It was a colourful mix in the season opener at the BayArena for the coming 2024/25 season: Even before the friendly match against Real Betis (1-1) as the premiere sporting attraction, photos were taken in the stadium of the players and Xabi Alonso, immortalising and honouring their historic performance last season. A surprise musical performance in the stands added to the celebratory atmosphere of the day. During the half-time interval, the black-and-red fans also welcomed the Bayer 04 women's team, and after the final whistle, the players handed out footballs to the fans with help from the children in the Löwenclub - to thank them for their exceptional support in pre-season and at this year's home season opener.

The supporting programme for the double winners' final pre-season home match began well before kick-off, at the neighbouring Ulrich Haberland Stadium. Bayer 04's U19s welcomed Alemannia Aachen as part of Matchday 2 of the DFB Youth League - and defeated the visitors 5-2 in front of a top crowd of 670.

Meanwhile, indelible memories were captured next door all around the BayArena: Bayer 04 club members with a ticket for the season opener, who had secured one of the coveted timeslots in advance, were able to take their photo with the championship trophy and the DFB Cup.

Spotted in the stands: A surprise appearance by "Mr Saxophone"

Around half an hour before kick-off, Andre Schnura made a surprise appearance among the fans in the stands with his black saxophone, which had been made famous throughout the country since UEFA EURO 2024. The Leverkusen-born musician performed the Bayer 04 anthem live and got the crowd in the mood for the day’s sporting exhibition.

The Fab Four - Wirtz "Player of the Season"

At the start of the warm-up for the match, in front of 28,395 spectators - a record number for a Bayer 04 season opener – a quartet of players received honours from the sidelines. Jonathan Tah, Jeremie Frimpong, Granit Xhaka and Florian Wirtz were handed their trophies by members of the Kurvenrat for being voted as part of the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 "Team of the Season". Wirtz also received the Leverkusen "Player of the Season" award - as voted for by members of the Werkself. In addition, Dennis Heinzmann from Bayer Giants Leverkusen congratulated the winners of this year's city cycling event. At the same time, the fans tried out the many activities and games on offer in and around the stadium.

After the warm-up and following a final team talk in the dressing room, the Werkself went out onto the pitch following one another, meeting with loud support from the fans in the stands. Before kick-off, one last honour was to be bestowed: Xabi Alonso received the kicker "Coach of the Year" award. And then it was time for the match. All the while, a chant from the stands that was unmistakable throughout the season opener could be heard: "Champions of Germany!"

During the interval: A moment for Bayer 04's women

While the Werkself prepared for the second half in the changing rooms, the players and coaching team of Bayer 04's women took to the pitch. Speaking on the stadium microphone, new head coach Roberto Pätzold said, among other things: "I was given a fantastic reception and the framework here at Bayer 04 is excellent. You can feel that it's a big club with a lot of success." He continued: "The team impressed me very highly. The players' willingness to perform is huge. We are working meticulously in training to win as many games as possible and offer the spectators great football to watch."

After the final whistle: penalty shoot-out and a huge thank-you for the fans

Regardless of the 1-1 final score (this way to the match report!), the 90 minutes were followed by a penalty shoot-out into the goal in front of the Nordkurve, which the teams had agreed on in advance for training purposes. Lukas Hradecky was the main protagonist of the shoot-out, saving three out of four penalties, while three of the four penalty takers netted for the Werkself - ensuring a successful end to pre-season preparations, with regards to the fixtures played.

Afterwards, all the Werkself players from both the men’s and women’s teams, complete with numerous members of the Löwenclub, handed out some signed footballs to the crowd, providing the fans with another, final highlight of this varied 2024/25 season opener.

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