On Sunday 1 March (kick-off: 15.30 CET) the Werkself in fifth place play the team second in the table at the Red Bull Arena. "It will be a highly interesting top match with two teams in good shape and on a good run," said Bosz full of anticipation. The fact that Leipzig, unlike the Werkself, did not have a game during the week is not particularly significant. The Dutchman added: "Perhaps they will want to be very aggressive against us at the start. But we know Leipzig, have often played them and watched them a lot."
Following the return from Porto, the Werkself were soon back on the training ground at the BayArena. A recovery session plus a normal workout for players not in the starting eleven at Porto were on the agenda. Charles Aránguiz took part. The Chilean missed the trip to Portugal due to the after-effects of a cold. "We'll have to wait and see after tomorrow's training session," said Bosz in reference to a possible appearance for his holding midfielder against Leipzig. Lars Bender, who was substituted in the Porto game, is undergoing a medical today and more will be known about the captain tomorrow.
Immediately before flying out from Porto, winger Moussa Diaby found out his son Ismail had been born in Paris. His team mates congratulated the Frenchman on board the plane. After landing at Cologne/Bonn Airport, the new father drove straight off in the direction of Paris to see his newborn for the first time. "We're all really happy for him," declared Bosz. "We'll wait and see what happens with him. We don't know at the moment."
The day after qualifying for the Europa League Round of 16, the head coach briefly looked back at last night's game at the Estádio do Dragão. "The team did very well. It wasn't our best game but it was a convincing win against a good opponent. We controlled the game, dominated and deserved to win."
The targets after nine wins in ten games remain the same. Bosz: "Our aim is to carry on trying to win every game – and that's worked out really well recently. It's not worth looking too far ahead with two games a week. We only focus on the next opponent."
Shortly after landing in Germany, Bosz and Co. discovered their opponents in the Europa League Round of 16. The Werkself play Rangers on 12 and 19 March. The Dutchman is looking forward to the clashes with the top Scottish side: "They are a good opponent with a great history in football. And it will be the first game at Ibrox for me."
Match information:
Attendance: 1,000 Bayer 04 fans are travelling to Leipzig.
Broadcaster: Sky (TV), Werkself Radio (bayer04.de)
Referee: Felix Zwayer (Berlin)
A simple approach to sport with games, fun and a highlight at the end: Bayer 04 organised a very special training session for 40 participants aged between six and 27 in cooperation with the Football Association of the Middle Rhine (FVM). At the day of action for women and girls with disabilities at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre, many of the participants gained their first experience of football.
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On Saturday, 28 March, the lights will go out again at the BayArena from 20:30 pm to 21:30. As in previous years, Bayer 04 once again take part in the WWF Earth Hour campaign under the motto "We're switching off" as the club wants to set a collective example for more climate and environmental protection together with people, cities and companies around the world.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen are bringing back Kerim Alajbegovic, who joined Red Bull Salzburg in the summer of 2025. The Bundesliga club activated the buy-back option in the contract with the Bosnia international, who has enjoyed great success at the Austrian top-flight club since the start of the current season. Alajbegovic moved to Salzburg from the Leverkusen U19s last year. The 1.86-metre forward has signed a five-year contract at Leverkusen with a start date of 1 July 2026.
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Less than a year ago, Kerim Alajbegovic moved from the Bayer 04 U19s to Austrian top-flight club FC Red Bull Salzburg. The forward’s development since then has been impressive. In 36 matches, including in the UEFA Europa League, the 18-year-old has scored 14 goals. In the summer, Alajbegovic, now a Bosnia international, will return to Leverkusen - and thus not only achieve the next milestone still early in his career, but also enrich the Werkself squad with his footballing versatility and determination.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with forward Nathan Tella ahead of schedule. The versatile 26-year-old, who can be deployed as a right winger, false nine or left winger, has penned a new contract to 30 June 2031. Tella joined the Werkself from Championship club Southampton in 2023. His previous contract ran to the summer of 2028.
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