In addition to the games against lower league clubs like the two recent matches against SC Verl (1-1) and Delbrücker SC (4-0) plus Friday’s friendly at TuS Koblenz (18.30 CET) and the benefit match on 9 August away to Offenbacher Kickers, Roger Schmidt’s players will also be able to get match practice against quality European opposition. Both FC Porto, who Bayer 04 meet at the Belkaw Arena in Bergisch Gladbach on Wednesday 27 July at 18.00 CET, and Real Sociedad from San Sebastian, opponents for the season launch at the BayArena on Saturday 13 August, are also top European clubs like Fiorentina. The Lilies from Tuscany finished fifth in Serie A last term and are in the Europa League in the coming campaign. The two-time Italian champions are coached by the Portuguese manager Paulo Sousa who was at Borussia Dortmund as a player.
Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
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Bayer 04 are away to third-division club SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal. That was the outcome of the draw on Saturday night, 6 June, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. The Werkself first round tie will be played between 21 and 24 August. The exact date has yet to be finalised.
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Carles Martìnez is raring to go. The 42-year-old speaks in his first interview in Leverkusen about the club's development to date and how he wants to build on it. He describes his previous work in France, Kuwait, Qatar and his native Barcelona, his experience in developing young players, and the key steps between now and the start of pre-season training.
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New Bayer 04 head coach Carles Martínez has arrived in Leverkusen! At midday on Friday, the 42-year-old spoke in a press conference at the BayArena about his philosophy and his aims. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes also discussed the reasons for appointing the former Toulouse boss.
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