The following dates are confirmed for this summer's pre-season preparations with others to follow and/or subject to minor changes:
Thursday, 5 July:
Return to training (performance tests at the BayArena)
Wednesday, 18 July:
Friendly against SV Roßbach/Verscheid (District League A) (18.00 CET, Sportplatz 'In der Au' in Roßbach/Wied)
Saturday, 21 July:
Friendly against Sportfreunde Siegen (Oberliga) (15 .00 CET, Leimbach Stadium Siegen)
Tuesday, 24 July:
Friendly against Wuppertaler SV (Regional League) (19.00 CET, Stadion am Zoo Wuppertal)
29 July to 5 August:
Training camp in Zell am See-Kaprun
17 to 20 August:
DFB Cup 2018/19, First Round (draw on 8 June)
Sunday, 19 August:
Season launch event including presentation of Werkself 2018/19 squad (at Neulandpark Leverkusen)
24 to 26 August:
Bundesliga 2018/19, matchday 1
The Black and Reds kick off the new Bundesliga campaign today, Saturday 29 August (kick-off 15:30 CEST), away to newly promoted SV 07 Elversberg – and the Werkself will come up against a familiar face who is currently causing a stir at ‘Elv’. For an affordable and easy journey to the Saarland, the 1,600 travelling fans can still use the WERKSELFgo car-share platform. Today’s matchday news..
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The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
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The Bundesliga is back. On Saturday 29 August (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to SV 07 Elversberg on matchday 1 of the new season. Ahead of the clash at the URSAPHARM Arena on Kaiserlinde, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the importance of a successful start and the motivation of the league newcomers from the Saarland.
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On Friday afternoon, it will be decided which eight of the 36 participating teams Bayer 04 will face in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League in 2026/27. At the draw in Monaco (live on UEFA.com), the Werkself will be drawn against two teams from each of the four pots, allocated according to the UEFA club coefficient. A match against an opponent from the same country is ruled out, as is facing more than two clubs from the same national association. Here’s a look at the pots and potential opponents.
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After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
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