Today there was another intensive session: As on every Tuesday, it was once again the hardest session of the week with the focus on fitness training. After a practice match of 11 v 11, where the head coach Peter Bosz and his assistants continued to explain and correct things during the breaks, the players left the pitch exhausted. Mitchell Weiser was also back on the turf today – he trained on his own following his metatarsal injury. There is no training session planned for Wednesday but Thursday and Friday will see the final preparations for the league opener at the BayArena against SC Paderborn – behind closed doors. Tickets are still available for Saturday’s game against the Bundesliga newcomers.
Exactly two weeks ago today, Bayer 04 signed Nadiem Amiri – and Peter Bosz opted to play the 22-year-old from the start in last Saturday’s DFB Cup tie at Alemannia Aachen. "That came as a bit of surprise and is not necessarily usual when you've only been at a new club for two weeks. I thank the coach for his confidence in me," said Amiri. The U21 international is in very positive mood after the first two weeks in Leverkusen: "I've been really well received and I feel very good here. Unfortunately I'm still in a hotel – and when I finally find somewhere to live then I’ll feel even better." He still has to celebrate his new post as he admitted. Traditionally, new signings have to sing to the team-mates – "perhaps I'll sing something romantic," said Amiri with a smile. Our new signing will shortly be giving an interview to Bayer 04 TV.
Bad news from the Bayer 04 U19s: Samed Onur, who completed a lot of sessions with the Werkself during the pre-season and also played in the friendlies suffered a torn cruciate in last Saturday’s league opener for the U19's at Victoria Koeln. The 17-year-old faces an operation and then a long stretch on the sidelines. "I'll do all I can in rehab and then I’ll give 100 per cent again," said Onur.
The Werkself went through to the second round of the DFB Cup with the win against Alemannia Aachen on Saturday – the last clubs completed their first round ties yesterday. Who the Werkself will meet in the second round and whether Bayer 04 might be drawn at home will be decided on Sunday. The draw will be made from 18.00 CET during the ARD Sportschau TV programme. It will be held at the German Football Museum in Dortmund with the Germany U21 coach Stefan Kuntz and former international Christoph Metzelder making the draw.
Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career as he worked as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personalised Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month…
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From special edition jerseys to fan banners, the home game against Mainz 05 was all about the many Bayer 04 fan clubs. Accordingly, a fitting tribute to the long-standing Werkself supporters was not to be missed during half-time in the Bundesliga match. Fernando Carro, CEO, honoured the up to 50-year anniversaries of six fan clubs in front of the coaches' benches at the BayArena.
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It is an expression of solidarity and a tribute to the unique fan culture Under the Cross: Bayer 04 Leverkusen make a special statement with the "50 Years of Fan Clubs" jersey. To mark the founding of the "First Fan Club 1976 Leverkusen", which was followed by many more over the years right up to the present day, the Bundesliga club is commemorating 50 years of passion with this new jersey. Highs and lows, successes celebrated together as well as defeats suffered are manifested in this piece of white fabric, a symbol of unwavering identification with the Werkself.
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There’s lots going on at the BayArena today. The home game against FSV Mainz 05 is all about the numerous Bayer 04 fan clubs, whose birth - the founding of the "1. Fanclub 1976 Leverkusen" - dates back 50 years. A number of fan club representatives will be involved in awards, a banner display and a half-time matchday chat, and the Werkself are set to play in a special white fan club jersey. During half-time, Leverkusen mayor Stefan Hebbel and javelin world champion Steffi Nerius will also talk about the Olympic bid involving Leverkusen. Black and Red fans are advised to get to the stadium in good time today. Matchday news.
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The Werkself host Premier League club Arsenal in the Round of 16 first leg in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign. The match at the BayArena is on 10/11 March. Read on for information on ticket sales for this fixture.
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