The Werkself have become a real force on their travels, including in Bremen. While Bayer 04 haven’t lost an away game in the Bundesliga for two whole seasons, it’s almost nine years (seven games) since they lost at the Weserstadion. It’s also just one defeat in the last 10 meetings home or away, although that came in the most recent in March.
Werder, though, rediscovered their home comforts at the end of last season and haven’t conceded a single goal in any of their last four Bundesliga outings on their own patch.
The start of this season has been very different, though. After DFB Pokal elimination at the hands of Arminia Bielefeld, they were then beaten 4-1 at Eintracht Frankfurt in their opening Bundesliga match. “Lots of things aren’t going right,” admitted captain Marco Friedl afterwards. The Green-Whites have lost two key players in goalkeeper Michael Zetterer and striker Marvin Ducksch. Karl Hein from Arsenal and Samuel Mbangula from Juventus have arrived with the intention of filling those gaps.
An injury crisis has also compounded things, with up to seven senior players ruled out or a doubt to face Leverkusen, including Friedl and midfield general Jens Stage. It’s not an easy situation for new head coach Horst Steffen, who previously led Elversberg from the fourth tier to the verge of Bundesliga promotion in last season’s play-off. Here’s more on today’s opponents HERE.
The Werkself can once again look forward to great support in Bremen, with 3,800 fans making the trip from Leverkusen. Information for travelling fans can be found HERE.
The German FA (DFB) have appointed Dr Robin Braun to oversee this game – the fourth of his career in the Bundesliga. The 29-year-old previously took charge of the Werkself’s 3-1 win at home to Hoffenheim in February. His assistants are Florian Heft and Asmir Osmanagic. The fourth official is Richard Hempel, with Tobias Welz as VAR.
The United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is celebrated worldwide on 3 December. Together with Bayer AG, Bayer 04 is once again setting an example for diversity and inclusion by lighting up the BayArena in purple in the evening.
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To celebrate the Werkself victory at Borussia Dortmund and to thank the fans for their fantastic support at the stadium and at home, Bayer 04 is reducing the price of all jerseys by up to 40 euros! What's more, player or customised printing is free with selection of the DFB Pokal badge and stylish Talcid sleeve logo. Special prizes will also be raffled among all purchasers. All promotions run exclusively on the Bayer 04 online shop until Wednesday, 3 December, 11:59 CET.
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For the second time in four days, Bayer 04 face Borussia Dortmund this Tuesday evening, 2 December (kick-off: 21:00 CET) - this time in the round of 16 of the DFB Pokal, with more than 7,000 fans supporting the Werkself at Signal Iduna Park. After the recent 2-1 defeat to BVB in the league, several cup stats provide hope of revenge for the Black and Reds. There are several reasons why Bayer 04 recommends getting to the round of 16 clash early, in which VAR will be in use, unlike in the previous rounds. Read on for further information on tonight’s game in our matchday news.
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Just three days on from the Bundesliga meeting in Leverkusen, Bayer 04 now visit Borussia Dortmund in the DFB Pokal on Tuesday (21:00 CET). Ahead of the game at the Signal Iduna Park, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about how to approach this second encounter in 72 hours and a number of developments within the squad.
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