Bayer 04 started the weekend on Friday night, 10 May with ‘Promotion day’: The title winners of 1979 were reunited at the BayArena. Everybody was happy, moved and excited – the players from yesteryear as much as the fans. The former players enjoyed the trip down memory lane with 380 supporters in the evening in the ‘19nullvier-Lounge’. With the exception of a few promotion heroes, everybody was there: from Fred Bockholt via Jürgen Gelsdorf, Thomas Hörster, Gerd Kentschke, Willibert Kremer through to Norbert Ziegler. One person was the focus of attention: legendary general manager Reiner Calmund.
After the atmospheric start on Friday night with the ‘Promotion day’, it carried on seamlessly on Saturday morning: On the second day of the weekend celebrating 40 years in the Bundesliga for Bayer 04, the heroes of 1979 met up at the Lindner Hotel with the Bundesliga Allstars from all over the world. That included Dimitar Berbatov, René Adler, Paulo Sergio, Bum-kun Cha and Zé Roberto, who were presented to the crowd ahead of the Bundesliga game against Schalke 04 at the BayArena.
A very special weekend at the BayArena came to a wonderful conclusion on that Sunday with the ‘Day of tradition’. Around 3,500 Bayer 04 fans came to the Ulrich Haberland Stadium in the morning to see the Legends take on the Bundesliga Allstars. The Whites against Reds game was very entertaining. No wonder as former Werkself players like Zé Roberto, Paulo Sergio, Juan, Ulf Kirsten, Stefan Kießling, Simon Rolfes, Dimitar Berbatov, Falko Götz and many others showed off their ability to help create a brilliant atmosphere in the stands.
Top flight since 1979: 40 years in the Bundesliga, a roller-coaster ride with lots of highs. All of that is available on a two-DVD set that covers the biggest moments for the Werkself over the last 04 decades and provides entertaining, behind-the-scenes outtakes. Click HERE for the online shop.
The second international break of the 2025/26 season will begin after the Bundesliga match against Union Berlin (Saturday, 4 October, 15:30 CEST). The latest information on call-ups.
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Alejo Sarco and Argentina won their second group match at the U20 World Cup in Chile on Wednesday night. They beat Australia 4-1 with Sarco setting the tone early with a goal in the third minute. As in the first group game against Cuba, where Sarco scored twice, the 19-year-old was also named "Player of the Match" against Australia.
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Second game, second draw in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26: The Werkself were held to a 1-1 draw by Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven on matchday two in the league phase. After an early but brief setback in the form of an offside goal by Ivan Perisic for the visitors (5'), the Werkself took control and created numerous good chances in the first half. Leverkusen took a deserved lead after the break in the 65th minute through Christian Kofane. However, PSV's Ismael Saibari replied a few minutes later to level at 1-1 (72').
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In the second match in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26, the Werkself host PSV Eindhoven this Wednesday evening, 1 October (kick-off: 21:00 CEST/live on DAZN and on Werkself Radio). PSV have injury problems but are in confident mood after winning two consecutive league titles. PSV coach Peter Bosz and keeper Matej Kovar are two familiar faces who have fond memories of their Bayer 04 days. The latest information on the UCL match at the BayArena can be found in out matchday news.
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Bayer 04 beat PSV Eindhoven 3-2 on matchday two to clock up the next three points in the UCL Youth League 2025/26. In front of just under 500 spectators at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium, the visitors from the Netherlands led at half-time, but the Werkself turned the game round in the second 45. That makes it two wins on the bounce after the victory in Copenhagen.
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