Berlin, Berlin, we're flying to Berlin
After the final pre-match training session on Friday afternoon, the Werkself flew to Berlin for the final match of the season. Absentees were Lars Bender, Hakan Calhanoglu, Kevin Volland, Roberto Hilbert, Ömer Toprak, Kevin Kampl and Karim Bellarabi who misses out due to a pulled stomach muscle.
It's the same procedure as usual on the final matchday including a communal walk ahead of the game. The team and staff will return home on Saturday night. As there is no training on Sunday it is the last obligatory commitment for the team.
Current state of play
The 'Old Lady' has only collected less points against Bayern Munich on average (0.69) than against Leverkusen (0.93) based on a minimum of three games played. However, Hertha will finish above Bayer 04 for the first time since the 2008/09 season. A victory would see the Berlin side retain fifth spot – that would be the best finish since 2008/09 (fourth).
Europe is in Hertha's sights: The Berliners could slip down as far as seventh place but that would still qualify them for the Europa League if Borussia Dortmund beat Eintracht Frankfurt in the DFB Cup final. One thing is certain regardless of other results: One point would be enough for Hertha to finish in at least six position. Bayer 04 can finish no higher than eleventh
More over: Over two seasons, Hertha have been in the top six 461 of the last 62 match days - the only time that was not the case was on matchday 34 of last season when they were seventh. A 0-0 draw at Mainz saw Hertha miss out on direct Europa League qualification. A bitter blow.
#FinallyRED - Everyone in RED
The Werkself are joining in with their red strip. And the fans too: The campaign #finallyRED calls for the away end to be in red on Saturday with all Werkself fans showing their true colours in Berlin.
‘Donate beakers – save lives'
Spectators at the stadium on Saturday can donate their deposit beakers and JustPay payment cards for the battle against cancer. All the money raised will be donated to the ‘KINDerLEBEN’ Association supporting the children's cancer hospital in Berlin.
Bayer 04 fans in the away end will also be able to set up containers to collect the beakers or donate cash to the collections. Join in support for the donation campaign on Saturday by putting your beakers in the appropriate donation container in the away end.
Bosnia U19 international Kerim Alajbegovic is moving from Bayer 04 Leverkusen's youth set-up to Red Bull Salzburg. The talented attacking midfielder has signed a long-term contract with the Austrian club. At the same time, the works club secured a buy-back option for the 17-year-old, who was one of the mainstays of the Leverkusen U19s.
Show moreThe Werkself are away to Premier League club Chelsea in the final pre-season friendly. The game against the current holders of the UEFA Conference League is on Friday, 8 August at Stamford Bridge with the kick-off at 20:00 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales.
Show moreThe Werkself are away to Dutch top-flight club Fortuna Sittard in the third pre-season friendly. The match is on Friday, 1 August at the Fortuna Sittard stadium with the kick-off at 19:00 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales.
Show moreThe Werkself are away to VfL Bochum in the second pre-season friendly. The match is on Sunday, 27 July at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion with the kick-off at 18:00 CEST. Read on for the latest information on ticket sales.
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