The Werkself have not clocked up more wins against any other club as they have against VfB Stuttgart (44, plus 22 draws and 23 defeats). The Black and Reds have only lost one of the last 25 games against the Swabian side and all of the last six home games have ended in victory for Bayer 04. VfB Stuttgart also suffered a first defeat in the game against Werder Bremen since they lost 3-2 to Bayer 04 in the DFB Pokal quarter-final against Bayer 04. The 2-1 loss in Bremen was the sixth defeat of the season for the Swabians – all of them away from home.
A key player is missing for both sides today: Xabi Alonso has to manage without Granit Xhaka, who is serving a one-match ban, and VfB Stuttgart are without the services of Angelo Stiller. Xhaka is the player with the most passes (3,102) and touches of the ball (3,471) and this Bundesliga campaign, Stiller is third (2,228 passes, 2,698 touches, with Nico Schlotterbeck in second spot).
The above-mentioned loss in Bremen ended a run of eleven Bundesliga fixtures without defeat. In spite of this setback, the Swabian side are definitely one of the biggest surprise packages of the season with 63 points after 30 games. Third-placed Stuttgart, who were in the play-offs last year, have impressed this term with successful attacking football and are on course to be in the Champions League next season. With four games to go, VfB have a four-point lead over RB Leipzig and are six ahead of fifth-placed Borussia Dortmund. For further information see our lowdown on the next opponents.
Traffic information for all fans travelling by car: From Friday 26 April (22.00 CEST) through to Sunday 28 April (22.00 CEST), the A1 in the direction of Dortmund is closed between the Leverkusen West motorway interchange and Leverkusen. In addition, at the Leverkusen West interchange it is not possible to access the A1 in the direction of Dortmund from the A 59 in both directions. Diversions are in operation via the A4-Rheinbrücke Köln-Rodenkirchen and the A46-Rheinbrücke Düsseldorf-Flehe.
The Western German Donation Centre (WSZE) has an information stand at today’s game. The WSZE has one of the biggest databases for voluntary bone marrow stem cell donations (hematopoietic stem cell donations) in Germany and, with over 180,000 registered donors, makes an important contribution to combating leukaemia. The WSZE information stand, showing how easy it is to get involved in the battle against leukaemia, is next to the Schwadbud in front of blocks B3/B4.
There is also an information stand for the the 'Luisa, ist hier!’ organisation that provides support for women and girls suffering all forms of abuse. Bayer 04 has provided this service at home games since January 2023 in close cooperation with the advice centre against sexual violence Frauennotruf Leverkusen, the Bayer 04 fan liaison team and the Leverkusen fan project. If needed, people affected can contact BayArena staff (service staff, security personnel etc) with the support call ‘Luisa is here’ or alternatively make a direct approach for help. The campaign stall is on the Piazza in the West opposite the fan shop.
As in the previous home game against Werder Bremen, Bayer 04 is again calling on fans to get involved in the collection of spectacles for the worldwide camapign on donating glasses. Spectacles can be dropped off without cases at the EAST entrance (by the club mobile shop) and the WEST entrance.
Children and teenagers from the youth fire brigade will welcome the Werkself onto the pitch as flag wavers in today's home game against Stuttgart. They will be able to experience the atmosphere of the teams coming on close up. Bayer 04 is thereby paying respect to the children and teenagers of the youth fire brigade for their volunteer work that is essential in our society.
The fan fest, including a fan march, planned by Nordkurve12 has been postponed due to the weather conditions of recent days as the site for the event is unusable. Nordkurve12 will provide information on an alternative date.
The German Football Association (DFB) has appointed Felix Zwayer as the referee for today's game. The 42-year-old has previously been in charge of 32 games involving the Werkself with 17 wins, six draws and nine defeats for the Black and Reds. His assistants are Stefan Lupp and Thomas Gorniak and Sven Jablonski is in action as the VAR.
Anyone wanting to discover the latest information ahead of the cup tie can take a look at the new Werkself Live. The matchday magazine, that includes key facts and stats on the match, is available at the BayArena. Alternatively it is available free online. HERE is the e-paper.
As usual, Werkself Radio is available for anybody unable to be at today's game. The audio broadcast begins 30 minutes before kick-off with commentary provided by Niko Hartmann and Bayer 04 legend Rüdiger Vollborn. In addition, the live text update service will keep you up-to-date to ensure you don't miss any of the key match action. Both Werkself Radio and the live text update service are available at bayer04.de and on the Bayer 04 app.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed 16-year-old midfield prospect Gabriel Minutillo on a long-term contract. The Germany youth international will play for the U19s this season.
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Bayer 04 preparations for the 2026/27 season are in full swing, with the first friendly now under their belts. Although there are still around seven weeks to go until the first Bundesliga home game in early September, there is already huge anticipation for the start of competitive action for head coach Carles Martínez’s team at the BayArena. For the Bundesliga home matches of the new season, here is the latest information regarding the first phase of single-match ticket sales. The tried-and-tested early-bird phase remains in place. From 23 to 31 July, tickets for matches will go on sale on weekdays; the early-bird phase ends on 5 August at the latest – provided tickets are still available by then.
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Like last year, Bayer 04 Women held their summer training camp in Rieden. Coach Roberto Pätzold gives his assessment of the time in the Upper Palatinate, discusses the integration of the 11 new players and the unusual team building measures, gives his thoughts on the friendly and looks ahead to the start of the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga season in August.
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Just in time for the start of the summer holidays in North Rhine-Westphalia, the Werkself will hold another open training session on Tuesday 21 July. The session at the BayArena is scheduled to start at 11:00 CEST and will again be available to watch in a live stream. The fans who are there can look forward to a very special surprise.
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Bayer 04 Women rounded off their one-week training camp in the Upper Palatinate with their second friendly win of pre-season. Coach Roberto Pätzold's side beat Czech top-flight outfit Slovan Liberec 6-0 in a match consisting of 4 x 30 minutes. Maja Sternad (8'), Caroline Kehrer (55'), Natasha Kowalski (67', 84') with two direct free kicks, Valentina Mädl (97') and Justine Brandau (107') scored the goals for Leverkusen at 1.FC Rieden's Fenstertechnik-Weinfurtner-Arena.
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