Just like the Werkself, Wolfsburg came through the first round of the DFB cup last week when they beat Union Fürstenwalde 4-1. But while Charles Aránguiz and Co. were able to fully focus on the clash with the team from Lower Saxony following the 7-0 win against Norderstedt, VfL faced a trip to Albania. The Green and Whites had a Europa League qualifier at FK Kukesi on Thursday night but they gave the hosts no chance as they clocked up a convincing 4-0 victory.
Peter Bosz had an eagle eye on the match involving our next opponents. "It was interesting. It's always good to be able to see an opponent beforehand. But I think we can expect a different game on Sunday – we will be stronger opponents," said the Dutchman who still believes his Werkself team are at the build-up stage. Bosz added: "We trained well this week. We're not yet up to 100 per cent but we've made a good start and are getting fitter and fitter."
Following his precautionary self-isolation in Jamaica, winger Leon Bailey flew back to Germany on Friday and has already been tested. There will be a second test on Saturday. "If everything is normal then he will train with us on Monday," Bosz explained. "The most important thing will be to have the chance to talk to him – that should happen on Monday. Then we’ll be able to put together a plan for him so that he can return to action as soon as possible."
According to the 56-year-old, new signing Patrik Schick is ready to start. The Czech Republic striker is still not 100 per cent fit. But: "Whether or not he can play from the start on Sunday? Yes, he can," declared the head coach.
Match information:
Broadcasters: Sky and Werks11 Radio (bayer04.de)
Referee: The match officials will be appointed on the day of the game
Attendance: 500
The Werkself conceded a goal at home for the first time since the beginning of January 67 minutes into the game against FSV Mainz 05 on Saturday. Jarell Quansah levelled late on for the final score of 1-1 to secure a point and avoid a first home defeat in six games. Bayer 04 were very critical of their performance after the game. The Werkself review.
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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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Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 1-1 draw against Mainz 05 on Matchday 24 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season...
A late goal secured a point for Bayer 04 at home to FSV Mainz 05 in a match that saw the Black and Reds dominant in the second half. Despite lots of possession, the Werkself initially found few gaps and fell behind after 67 minutes when Sheraldo Becker scored in a Mainz counter-attack. In the closing stages, Leverkusen threw everything forward once again and equalised through Jarell Quansah (88').
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