The PreZero Arena has been a happy hunting ground for the Werkself to date. Leverkusen boast their highest win percentage away to TSG (65%) out all the teams who they've visited at least five times. Patrik Schick and Alejandro Grimaldo particularly enjoy playing against Hoffenheim - against no other team have the pair registered more goal involvements in the league (9 and 4 respectively). With the joint third-best attacks in the German top flight (both 34 goals) going head to head, it promises to be an attacking spectacle on Saturday afternoon. That was the case on the Werkself's last visit to the Kraichgau in September 2024, when the Black-and-Reds triumphed 4-1, with Martin Terrier's first goal for the club setting the course.
TSG carried their good form before the winter break into the new year with an impressive 5-1 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach in midweek. Christian Ilzer's side have now lost just one of their last 10 league matches. A number of their summer signings have impressed, not least in defence with Albian Hajdari, Bernardo and Vladimir Coufal. In attack, too, newcomers Tim Lemperle and Fisnik Asllani have shone alongside stalwart Andrej Kramaric. Ilzer has done a fine job of integrating after a summer of upheaval in the squad, creating an impressive team spirit and high intensity. If there are weaknesses, then they're vulnerability to the counter-attack and problems defending set pieces. Bayer 04 could capitalise on that with their pace in attack and defenders who are strong in the air. There's more on TSG in our comprehensive opposition analysis.
The Werkself can count on the vocal support of over 2,300 Bayer 04 supporters at the PreZero Arena. Some tickets will be available on the gate when the stadium opens at 13:30.
The Matchday 18 clash will be overseen by Daniel Schlager. Leverkusen have won eight of the 12 games that the 36-year-old has officiated, including the aforementioned victory at Hoffenheim last season. Schlager will be assisted on the touchlines by Sven Waschitzki-Günther and Tobias Fritsch, with Arne Aarnink the VAR.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended Abdoulaye Faye’s contract by a further year to 30 June 2031. During the 2026/27 season, the talented defender will play for Celta Vigo on loan without an option to buy. The 21-year-old Senegalese is set to feature in La Liga and the UEFA Europa League with last season’s sixth-placed side in Spain.
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The Werkself's training camp in Weimarer Land all in one place: in our daily blog you'll find all the insights and updates from the day. The programme on day one (Sunday 2 August) includes a media round with managing director sport Simon Rolfes, free time for the team after the friendly against Rot-Weiss Essen and before an intensive week of training begins, as well as a coffee get-together where CEO Fernando Carro and Rolfes met around 100 fans in the afternoon.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed Kerim Alajbegovic’s transfer to Italian record champions Juventus. The club brought the 18-year-old attacking player back to Leverkusen this summer via a buy-back option, following a season at Red Bull Salzburg. Until his move to Austria, the Bosnia international had been playing for Bayer 04’s Under-19s.
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A warm welcome to the Weimarer Land, Bayer 04! The Werkself moved into their accommodation for this year’s training camp on Saturday evening. In Blankenhain, Thuringia, head coach Carles Martínez’s team have a programme of gruelling training sessions – several of which will be open to fans – and team-building activities lined up for the next six days. We’ll be following the Werkself up close and providing you with exclusive insights, quotes, photos and videos from the training camp.
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With 22 days to go until the start of the Bundesliga campaign, the Bayer 04 Women’s team have gained a fresh boost of confidence. In a friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk on Saturday afternoon, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team secured a 1–0 win. Lobke Loonen (20’) scored the winner for the Black and Reds at the Kurtekotten training centre.
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