The wins in the big matches against Bayern Munich and Schalke 04 were followed by a 2-0 defeat against Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday 11 December. The Bayer 04 head coach Peter Bosz does not see that match as a setback. "We played very well and were compact. That must give us confidence for the rest of the games before the winter break – including against FC Köln," said the Dutchman at the pre-match press conference ahead of the derby.
The 56-year-old is well aware this clash is very special for the Werkself fans. Bosz continued ahead of his first Rhine derby against FC Köln: "Of course, I get it that this match is about much more than just three points – you can feel it. Everybody will be talking about it at work in the next few days."
Against Köln, currently bottom the table on eight points, it will be necessary to show a certain aggression on and off the ball. "And we have a team that can play very good football. That's the way we want to achieve victory," said Bosz who said he is able to call on a fit squad immediately before the winter break: "The players remain very focused. We have an experienced group used to playing twice or three times a week."
In the game on the other side of the Rhine, with over 4,000 fans travelling to support the Werkself, the head coach of the sixth-placed team has all players available with the exception of the suspended Jonathan Tah and injured players Mitchell Weiser and Joel Pohjanpalo. Bosz added: "We know we still have three very important games and I feel that we're ready!"
Former Werkself star Michael Ballack, who won the German Footballer of the Year award in 2002 while playing in Leverkusen, celebrates his 50th birthday on Saturday. Bayer 04 sends him its best wishes!
Show more
Attention Werkself fans: In addition to tickets for the floodlit home match against Werder Bremen, tickets are now also available for the Bayer 04 women’s team’s two subsequent fixtures against Eintracht Frankfurt and Hamburger SV at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. Both matches in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga will take place at family-friendly kick-off times on Saturday afternoons. Here is the latest information on matchday ticket sales.
Show more
Guéla Doué’s first 30 minutes in a Bayer 04 shirt during the draw away at Augsburg have definitely made the summer signing eager for more. The 23-year-old may have had to bide his time following his move from Strasbourg due to a muscular injury, but he’s been able to get a good taste of the BayArena atmosphere while watching from the stands in the home wins over Celje and RB Leipzig, as the Ivory Coast international explained in a chat with media representatives. “The fans’ enthusiasm and passion are incredible,” said Doué, looking forward to what lies ahead. The defender also spoke about his plans for a comeback, his teammates and his younger brother Désiré.
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen welcomes a new official member to the Sponsors’ Club at the start of the 2026/27 campaign. KKV Kabelverlegung GmbH & Co. KG is expanding its existing partnership and will, with immediate effect, act as a supporter of the Bundesliga club at the second-highest partner level, just below the premium tier. As an official partner in the Sponsors’ Club, KKV will now enjoy significantly enhanced visibility during Werkself matches at the BayArena. The new contract is initially valid until 30 June 2028.
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen has extended the existing partnership agreement with EDO Personalservice GmbH and, at the same time, expanded its collaboration with the Cologne-based company. The official partner in the Business Club has been upgraded within Bayer 04’s partner network. The revised and enhanced support for the club has initially been agreed for two years, running until 30 June 2028.
Show more
