
Florian Wirtz on…
…the healing process: Me and my knee are doing very well. The rehab training is going as planned. Therefore I'm absolutely confident at this point and I will continue my programme.
…on support on the way to his comeback: I've had great support from the start from all sides from my family as well as the club and my friends. And the doctor who operated on me was very confident in his discussions with me. That feedback motivated me to start rehab a few days after the injury. It's gone great since then including in cooperation with the medical team at the club. I'm in exactly the right hands here.
…rehab work on the training camp: Of course, it's not always easy doing the same exercises in the same place for months on end. Therefore, I'm really enjoying the time here in Austria. I'm fully involved in the day-to-day activity and close to my teammates. I'm training right next to them so I can see what’s happening in training.

…his programme for the coming weeks and months: The first thing now is to gradually increase the intensity and workload on the pitch. We're taking it step-by-step.
…the reasons for extending his contract to 2027: I just feel really good here. I wanted to send a message to the club and the team. Patrik Schick has also extended to 2027, Adam Hlozek has signed a deal to 2027. We've got a good team and we want to build something here.
…communication with Germany coach Hansi Flick: We are in close contact and we have a very good relationship with each other. For example, he invited me to the international in Mönchengladbach (5-2 against Italy, ed.). I spoke to a lot of the other international players there and they gave me great support.
…the World Cup in Qatar: I'm very young and have lots of years ahead of me. You can't see into the future. And I don't want to do that. I just want to use every day and work hard to get back on the pitch fit and well.

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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