As the seven-day infection rate in Leverkusen is at 20.1 (as at 25 September, 00.00 CEST), the meeting with Leipzig will be played in front of 6,000 spectators. "It's a further step in the right direction and great for the players," declared head coach Peter Bosz ahead of match number 1,400 for the Werkself in the Bundesliga (700 home games).
The Dutchman is expecting the side from Saxony to be a "very good team. They were in the semi-finals of the Champions League for a good reason. They have a top squad even without Timo Werner and are a big rival for us." That makes it even more important against RB to build on the positive home stats from this calendar year. The Werkself have won an impressive six out eight Bundesliga home games in 2020 (two defeats).
Following on from goalkeeper Lennart Grill (FC Kaiserslautern) and Patrik Schick (AS Roma), Bosz and Co. welcomed summer signing number three in the middle of the week. Right back Santiago Arias (Atlético Madrid) has signed a one-year deal with Bayer 04 having the option to buy the loanee. The Colombian is also not an unknown quantity for head coach Bosz. During his time as a coach in the Dutch Eredivisie, the 56-year-old often came up against Arias as he played for PSV Eindhoven for five years. "He was very attacking with that top team in the Eredivisie. During his time at Atlético he was able to learn much more about defending under Diego Simeone," Bosz said with conviction. "He's a complete player and fits in really well with us."
The Dutchman left open the question of whether Arias will be in the squad against Leipzig – as he also did with the prospect of other new signings. Bosz: "We are continually looking to strengthen the squad – but the players have to have quality. Otherwise it doesn't make any sense."
As with Arias, it remains to be seen whether Leon Bailey will be in the squad. The 23-year-old only returned from self-isolation in Jamaica at the start of the week. Paulinho is definitely ruled out as he continues his rehab following his torn cruciate. All the other Werkself players will be in a position to experience the Bundesliga atmosphere in front of fans at the BayArena on Saturday…
Match information:
Broadcasters: Sky and Werks11 Radio (bayer04.de)
Referee: The match officials will be announced on the day of the game
Attendance: 6,000
Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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The Bayer 04 Women’s squad for the coming season is continuing to take shape: Centre-back Emily Wallrabenstein has moved to Leverkusen from Eintracht Frankfurt’s reserve team, who play in the Women’s Bundesliga 2. The 19-year-old has penned a contract until 30 June 2028.
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Bayern 04 Women have confirmed another summer signing, with midfielder Paulina Platner moving to Leverkusen from SGS Essen. The 20-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the Werkself.
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The German Football League (DFL) has shortlisted Martin Terrier’s scorpion kick goal against 1. FC Köln for the 2025/26 Bundesliga Goal of the Season. Bayer 04 fans can vote for their favourite goal via the Bundesliga app from now until Monday 25 May (23:59 CEST).
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Bayer 04 will be preparing young talents for a potential sporting career in an even more systematic way in future. The club is breaking new ground to help develop their academic, social and personal skills as well. With the ‘Haus der Talente' or 'Talent House’, Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH is creating a new centre for the development of young athletes in a central location in Leverkusen. Once completed – expected to be in the summer of 2027 – the project will be run in partnership with TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen e.V.
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