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.
We are taking the Day of German Unity and the anniversary as an opportunity to tell a story that befits the subject - that of Falko Götz. The long-serving player, who currently works in scouting at Bayer 04, spoke to bayer04.de about his youth in the GDR, his escape during an away game in Belgrade and how he identifies with Bayer 04.
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With seven points from five games, Union Berlin have made a decent start to the season. Particularly in the wins against VfB Stuttgart and Eintracht Frankfurt, the Irons, who are otherwise known for their strong defence, impressively demonstrated they also have a lot to offer in attack. They will be looking to prove this once again at the BayArena on Saturday, 4 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST, match on Sky and highlights on DAZN). The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Derby time in the Rhineland! After a successful September, the Bayer 04 Women are away to FC Köln on Sunday, 4 October. In the Bundesliga match kicking off at 18:30 CEST at the Franz Kremer Stadium (live on MagentaSport and DAZN), coach Roberto Pätzold is counting on the return of a number of players who have been absent through injury.
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Bayer 04 have extended the contract with Argentinian World Cup winner Exequiel Palacios with his current contract due to run out in the summer of 2028. The midfielder, currently unavailable due to injury, has signed a new contract with the Bundesliga club that runs to 30 June 2030.
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Bayer 04 will have to manage without defender Axel Tape for the time being.
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