First part of final training session open to fans

It is the 60th Bundesliga derby between Black and Reds and Red and Whites and is even more crucial from a sporting perspective than meetings with the neighbours from Cologne usually are. Bayer 04 are mobilising all possible forces to secure top-flight status with a win against FC Köln. There is already a lot action at the club before Saturday’s game: The #finallyRED campaign is calling for supporters to turn the home areas at the BayArena into a sea of deep red on Saturday to show the commitment of the Werkself faithful at the important game against FC Köln. On Saturday at 13.30 CET there will be a ‘motivational guard of honour’ from the fan pub Stadioneck to the motorway bridge along Bismarckstraße to give the players a boost as they arrive at the stadium.

Fans also have another opportunity to show their support ahead of the derby on Friday. Tayfun Korkut and his fellow coaches have decided to make the first part of the final pre-match training session open to the public. Werkself supporters will be able to watch the squad go through their paces on pitch one at the training ground and demonstrate their backing for the team. The Bayer 04 pros will then complete the session behind closed doors.

Moreover: The fans are not the only ones to be busy before the derby with the City of Leverkusen also joining in. Mayor Uwe Richrath, a Werkself supporter for many years, has organised the flying of the Bayer 04 flag in front of the Town Hall, the administrative buildings in Opladen and Wiesdorf as well as in front of the road traffic department. The message is clear: “Never as important as now: DERBY WIN!”