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The Werkself travelled to the capital on matchday 33 in the knowledge that three points at the Olympic Stadium could have been a big step towards qualifying for the Champions League. "We went to Berlin on the back of a good run and played well in the opening stages of the game," recalled head coach Peter Bosz at the pre-match press conference on Friday. The Werkself did not recover from going 1-0 down to a wonder strike on 22 minutes and the match ended in a 2-0 defeat for the visitors.
Ahead of the first meeting of the season with Hertha Berlin, the numbers are again in favour of the Werkself: The visitors, currently thirteenth in the table, are currently not performing to their own expectations with just one of the last seven Bundesliga matches won. "They are a good opponent. But they're not where everybody expected them to be," Bosz said. "Hertha have a lot of good individual players. But up to now they haven't managed to fulfil expectations as a team."
For the game against the team from the capital, the Dutchman still has to manage without long-term absentees through injury Santiago Arias, Paulinho and Exequiel Palacios as well as the captain Charles Aránguiz (knee). Edmond Tapsoba (positive Covid-19 test) and Sven Bender (ankle) are also sidelined. On the possible return of Lars Bender, who completed the regeneration session with the team on Friday, Bosz said: "We'll have to wait and see how he is."
In view of the winning run and third place in the Bundesliga, which the Werkself could secure with three points against Hertha Berlin, the 56-year-old drew a positive conclusion: "We have changed our style of play slightly and up to now that has worked really well. We want to build on that."
On the back of two straight defeats, Hoffenheim come to the BayArena on Saturday (kick-off: 3.30pm CET) looking to once again demonstrate their good record away from home. The Sinsheim club have managed to claim points in many of their recent visits to Leverkusen. We take a look at what shape the Bundesliga’s eighth-placed team are in before they take on the league leaders.
Show moreBayer 04 is once again holding its traditional family matchday, presented by main sponsor Barmenia, as part of the Werkself’s Bundesliga game at home to Hoffenheim on Saturday, 30 March. Fans can look forward to family-friendly offers, an entertainment programme with numerous play stalls and hands-on activities around the BayArena. Here’s all you need to know about the family matchday.
Show moreNumerous players from the Bayer 04 youth teams have also been on their travels in the final international break of the season, including three for the German U17 side. A round-up of all the games involving our boys.
Show moreThe Bayer 04 Women go into a three-week league break with a goalless draw. The team led by coach Robert de Pauw secured a point in a hard-fought game away to SGS Essen thereby maintaining a two-point lead over the hosts in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga. The Leverkusen Women are fifth in the table after 17 games on 25 points.
Show moreBayer 04 Women have faced Essen twice already this season, with neither game in Leverkusen ending well for the home side. The league encounter finished goalless, while the DFB Cup quarter-final at the BayArena ended in a 2-1 defeat and elimination. Now 19 days later, Robert de Pauw’s side are looking to make up for all of that as they visit Essen in the Google Pixel Bundesliga on Sunday (kick-off: 6.30pm CET).
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