
Neither pouring rain nor soaked clothing could stop the 75-strong Bayer 04 team of sprucing up parts of the former site of the state garden show: With the support of the Friends of Neuland Park and the counselling organisation in Leverkusen, work was done in several themed gardens in terms of digging and improvement: Rolls of turf were transported, cut to shape and laid, plants supported and in places new plants put in, drainage was laid, weeds were removed, old benches dismantled and, last but not least, 80 tonnes of shells were transported and distributed along individual paths – with the help of machines but mainly through the use of shovels, wheelbarrows, rakes and countless steps.
After the morning training session, the Werkself players and coaches joined in to lend a hand to the workaholics with their improvement work.

















Prior to the day, an outdoor gym had been set up in Neuland Park consisting of four pieces of fitness training equipment for the whole body and Bayer 04 Fußball GmbH has made a financial contribution. Next year, another four pieces of fitness equipment painted black and red will be installed – and preparatory work was done on the day of action in terms of laying foundations.

Newcastle United have amassed nine points after five matchdays, one more in the UEFA Champions League than the Werkself. The Magpies are also steadily improving in the Premier League, where they're currently unbeaten in four games. On Wednesday, 10 December (kick-off: 21:00 CET), Eddie Howe's side will be the visitors at the BayArena. He's also likely to field two Germany internationals in the game. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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The situation ahead of the showdown is clear - and promising. The Bayer 04 U19s host Newcastle United on the sixth and final matchday of the 2025/26 UEFA Youth League phase. A win at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium would see the Werkself go through to the knockout stages of the competition for the first time. Ahead of the clash on Wednesday, 10 December (kick-off: 14:00 CET/livestream on bayer04.de and in the Bayer 04 app), coach Kevin Brok spoke about the successful build-up, his assessment of the match and the danger of underestimating the already eliminated English side.
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The Werkself will host VfB Stuttgart at the BayArena on matchday 16 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season. The game is on Saturday, 10 January, at 18:30 CET. Information on ticket sales.
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The Werkself will host Werder Bremen at the BayArena on matchday 19 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season. The game is on Saturday, 24 January, at 15:30 CET. Information on ticket sales.
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In the sixth and final match of the league phase of the UEFA Youth League 2025/26, the Bayer 04 U19s have a great opportunity to advance to the knockout phase of Europe’s most prestigious youth competition for the first time. To achieve that under their own steam, they will need a win against Newcastle United at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium on Wednesday, 10 December (kick-off: 14:00 CET/ free admission). In an interview with bayer04.de, managing director sport Simon Rolfes analyses the team's performances so far and their special situation. And the 43-year-old reveals what he would be happy to do without on the day of the match.
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