Friday morning brought the Werkself a recovery session in the form of a relaxed run on the beach at Tel Aviv. With three important points in the Europa League banked after the 4-2 win against Hapoel Be’er Sheva on Thursday, double goalscorer Leon Bailey and Co. returned to the Rhineland after a four-hour flight. “We have a long day behind us,” summed up Peter Bosz, “but coming back with a win always helps when you’re heavy-legged.”
The final pre-match training session ahead of the big match against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Sunday 8 November (kick-off: 18.00 CET/live on Sky and on Werks11 Radio at bayer04.de and on the Bayer 04 app) was held on Saturday afternoon. “Gladbach have had two more days to recover. But we will be ready on Sunday and we want to extend our run with three wins in succession,” declared Bosz, who can call on Karim Bellarabi, after his suspension for the game in Israel, and Mitchell Weiser, who is not in the Europa League squad, for the game against the Rhine rivals. Santiago Arias, Paulinho and Charles Aránguiz are ruled out but Patrik Schick could be in the squad.
Bayer 04 are looking to get a result against Borussia to secure fourth place. With twelve points in the bag, the Werkself have one point more and are a place above Mönchengladbach – who beat Shakhtar Donetsk 6-0 last Tuesday in the club’s biggest win in the Champions League. Bosz finished by saying: “They will be very confident. But we know all about the team. We’re aiming to beat them.”
Match information:
Broadcasters: Sky and Werks11 Radio
Referee: The match officials will be announced on the matchday.
SC Paderborn 07, the second-placed team in Bundesliga 2, face the Werkself in the second round of the DFB Pokal. Although Paderborn have won six games in a row, Bayer 04 have never lost to SCP. That will hopefully continue on Wednesday, 29 October (kick-off: 18:00 CET) with Patrick Ittrich the man with the whistle. The experienced referee will have to make do without the support of VAR at the Home Deluxe Arena. Read on for further information on tonight’s game in the matchday news.
Show more
Video games manufacturer Electronic Arts (EA), together with the German Football League (DFL), has announced the six nominees for the Bundesliga Player of the Month award for October - including Werkself player Alejandro Grimaldo. Black and Red fans can vote from now until Sunday, 2 November (23:59 CET).
Show more
A Leverkusen player is a step closer to winning the UEFA Women's Nations League tournament after the semi-finals, and another Werkself player secured her nation's place in League A. A trio also impressed for the German U23s, while another made her debut for the U19s. Read on for updates on the most recent international appearances of the six members of the Bayer 04 Women’s first team squad.
Show more
Can the Werkself build on their successful run in the Bundesliga in the DFB Pokal? "We're ready for the next good game," said coach Kasper Hjulmand confidently. Ahead of the second-round clash at SC Paderborn 07 on Wednesday, 29 October (kick-off:18:00 CET), the Dane spoke about the Bundesliga 2 title-contenders' impressive recent record as well as options in the centre of midfield, Schick's return and the goalkeeping situation for the cup tie.
Show more
SC Paderborn 07 have made an excellent start to the season under new coach Ralf Kettemann. The current second-placed side in Bundesliga 2 have won their last six matches. The East Westphalians now head into their home game against the Werkself in the second round of the DFB Pokal on Wednesday, 29 October (kick-off: 18:00 CET) brimming with confidence. The lowdown on our next opponents
Show more
