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!"
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 personal 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…
Show more
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 1-2 loss against VfL Wolfsburg on the 2nd matchday of the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga 2026/27.
Show more
Despite a spirited performance, the Bayer 04 Women suffered their first defeat in their first home game of the season. In front of 1,184 spectators at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium, coach Roberto Pätzold’s side lost 2-1 to VfL Wolfsburg. Selina Ostermeier’s equaliser (51’) was not enough to secure a point, as the Bundesliga runners-up were quick to strike back.
Show more
Bayer 04’s eight opponents in the group stage of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League have been confirmed. At the draw on Friday 28 August held at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, the Werkself were drawn against two opponents from each of the four pots. There are a total of four home and four away matches. Read on for details of opponents and fixture dates.
Show more
In the 3-2 defeat at Bundesliga newcomers SV 07 Elversberg, the Werkself found the back of the net in the closing stages and, with a bit of luck, could still have equalised. “Today, our play wasn’t good enough, particularly when it came to the basics,” said head coach Carles Martínez. Like the boss, Ibrahim Maza also wants to learn from the match and look ahead: “Next week, people should be able to see from the very first minute that we want it more than our opponents.” The Werkself review on the Bundesliga opener in 2026/27.
Show more
