One player is missing for tomorrow’s trip to Bremen: Lars Bender. The team captain suffered an injury to his foot and is sidelined for the Werder game. Kevin Volland is also unavailable as he continues his recovery in rehab from an ankle ligament injury. “Otherwise, we’ll have all the lads with us who are normally in the squad. We’ll also have some youth players with us, including Florian Wirtz,” said Bosz, who expressed his satisfaction with the youth player: “He has to be a good player – otherwise he wouldn’t train with us regularly as a 17-year-old.”
A day before the restart in Bremen, the Dutchman highlighted the “very good” discipline of his team. “I’ve been working with them for three months during the coronavirus pandemic and I have to say they know what’s expected of them. In addition, our team doctor Dr. Karl-Heinrich Dittmar was very good in explaining to them what they can and cannot do,” said Bosz, who has logically dedicated attention this week to the thought of “how we can win the game against Werder.”
In preparation for the game, the Werkself played a practice match at the BayArena simulating the new coronavirus conditions. “We have to be able to handle it. The emotions will be different and also the situation of being able to hear more. We’ve tried to reproduce that at our own ground with eleven-a-side training,” said Bosz.
The circumstances around the hygiene regulations applicable before and after matchdays plus the absence of fans are both new experiences for the Dutch coach. The 56-year-old paid close attention to yesterday’s first Bundesliga fixtures in 66 days – above all, on the rivals in the race for a Champions League slot. “Of course, we’re looking at our direct rivals. But I don’t think we’re under more pressure because of that. We have to mind our own business and win our games,” said Bosz. After the two-month break, the desire is still there for the “attractive and dominant” Bayer 04 style of play.
For the first time, matchday 26 also brings the rule change of five substitutions instead of three per team per match that applies to the end of the season. Bosz: “That gives us coaches extra chances of having more influence on the game.”
Match information:
Broadcasters: DAZN and Werkself Radio (bayer04.de)
Referee: The match officials will be announced on the day of the game
A special afternoon at the Bayer 04 Football Academy autumn camp: At the Liga 20 indoor football centre, in the shadow of the BayArena, two Werkself women’s team players led a training session. Loreen Bender and Selina Ostermeier not only offered the young players advice and support, but also got stuck in themselves.
Show more
Once the final whistle was blown, it was time to take a deep breath. 2-0 down and a 5–2 win in the end. It was a nerve-wracking affair against FC Nürnberg in the second round of the 2026–27 DFB Pokal. Jonas Hofmann said – “We didn’t let our heads drop” – hitting the nail on the head. Indeed, it was clear the Werkself were not prepared to accept elimination from the DFB Pokal. So they went on to score. The Black and Reds made their presence felt with a goal just before half-time, followed by four more in the second half. Or, to put it another way: Edmond Tapsoba’s first Bayer 04 brace, a clinical penalty from Patrik Schick, yet another precision strike from Hofmann and a blistering volley from Lucas Vázquez. Each goal more beautiful than the last! After the match, head coach Carles Martínez praised his team’s commitment above all else and the fact that they never lost belief in themselves. The Werkself review.
Show more
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 5-2 win against 1. FC Nürnberg in the second round of the DFB-Pokal 2026/27...
Show more
Bayer 04 came from 2-0 down to beat Nürnberg 5-2 in the second round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal on Wednesday night. Edmond Tapsoba’s double either side of half-time sparked the turnaround, before Patrik Schick, Jonas Hofmann and Lucas Vázquez ensured progress to the last 16 for the 2024 cup winners.
Show more
