After two defeats in succession, Chile got back on track in the race to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with Bayer 04 midfielder Charles Aránguiz in the side. La Roja beat closest rivals Bolivia 3-2. The matchwinner was Inter Milan's Alexis Sánchez with a brace. Aránguiz was substituted on 67 minutes.
Chile are now sixth in the South American qualifying group with a two-point gap to the play-off place of fifth and three to fourth spot, which would qualify them directly for the World Cup. The last two crucial matches will be played at the end of March. Aránguiz and Co. will face the already qualified Brazil, currently top of the group, as well as fourth-placed Uruguay.
The situation for Ecuador is much more relaxed: The team including Werkself player Piero Hincapie secured a 1-1 draw in Peru overnight and the Leverkusen defender again went the full distance. The result means they are still in third place and, with two games to go, they are four points above the play-off spot of fifth.
At the end of March, Hincapie and Co. play Paraguay, who have no chance of qualifying for the World Cup, as well as already qualified Argentina.
The second friendly and the first goal for the Bayer 04 Women: The Werkself just missed out on their first win in the preseason away to top-flight Dutch side PEC Zwolle. The team led by coach Roberto Pätzold drew 1-1 on Friday afternoon in Wezep. As with the friendly against TSG Hoffenheim (0-2) a number of first-team players were absent. The coach once again shared out time on the pitch for the 20-player squad. The goal of the match was scored by summer signing Vanessa Fudalla (67').
Show moreContinuity under the Cross: After the successful season in 2024/25 with reaching the final of the VBL Club Championship, the two Leverkusen e-sports players Marc and Sean Landwehr have extended their contracts at Bayer 04 by an additional two years. Marc is thereby in his sixth year and Sean in his third year with the Werkself. Together with e-talent Marcus Hüttemann, who has also extended his stay at Bayer 04 Bayer year, completes the current squad for the 2025/26 season.
Show moreAn average of over 3,500 fans supported the Werkself at away games last season. Looking forward to the 2025/26 season, Bayer 04 now provide information on ticket sales for away games. The previous 0 sales phase is being replaced by the Regulars phase.
Show moreThe German Football League (DFL) has confirmed the details for the first five matchdays in the 2025/26 Bundesliga season. Read on for details of the fixtures.
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