Special encounters at the first away game: The new head coach at Borussia Mönchengladbach this season is Gerardo Seoane, the predecessor of Werkself coach Xabi Alonso. Speaking at yesterday's pre-match press conference, the Spaniard said it will be the first time the two have met and that he is looking forward to it. In addition, two Bayer 04 new signings will meet up with some very familiar faces this evening: Granit Xhaka played for the Foals from 2012 to 2016, Jonas Hofmann from 2016 to the summer of 2023. The clubs have previously met 105 times (43 wins, 32 draws, 30 defeats). The last fixture was in May when the game ended all square at 2-2.
The Foals are currently in a state of flux. A number of new players plus a new head coach have been brought in to get Borussia moving up the table again after two disappointing seasons. Gladbach were unable to pick up three points in their first outing this term with the opening match against FC Augsburg producing an action-packed 4-4 draw. A difficult to predict a result that showed the Foals knew how to score but at the same time are susceptible in defence. Borussia were 3-1 up against FC Augsburg before going 4-3 down and only saving a point with a penalty in added time (90+7'). Further information on the Foals is available in our lowdown on the next opponents.
The German Football Association (DFB) has put the experienced referee Christian Dingert in charge of today's game. For the 43-year-old match official, this will be his thirteenth game involving the Werkself (five wins, three draws, five defeats).Dingert will be assisted by Benedikt Kempkes and Nikolai Kimmeyer on the touchlines and Felix Zwayer is on VAR duty.
As usual, Werkself Radio is available for anybody unable to be at today's away game at Borussia Mönchengladbach. The audio broadcast begins 30 minutes before kick-off with commentary provided by Cedric Pick and Philip Konrad (RTL football commentator). 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 – just log on.
To all Bayer 04 fans: The Fanwelt will be closed all day next Monday 30 June. This is due to preparations for the change of kit supplier from Castore to New Balance on Tuesday 1 July.
Show moreThe Norway U23 international Julie Jorde has completed the move from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Brøndby IF. The twelve-time champions of Denmark have signed the midfielder on permanent terms after her loan move from the Bundesliga to Denmark in the winter.
Show moreIt is almost two years since Bayer 04 new signing Abdoulaye Faye first stepped foot into the BayArena as a player for the Swedish club BK Häcken in the opening match in the 2023/24 Europa League campaign. A day before his nineteenth birthday, the central defender did not play in the 4-0 win for the Werkself but it was "an incredible night" for him on 21 September 2023 as he explained in his first interview on bayer04.de. "I watched the players and saw the fans. I liked it." It was also the first European night early on in his career. He only joined the then champions of Sweden in the cold north of Europe from his home in Senegal a few weeks before that special moment. Bayer04.de profiles our new defender.
Show moreWelcome, Abdoulaye Faye. The 20-year-old Senegalese central defender joins Leverkusen from top-flight Swedish club BK Häcken. In his first interview he talks about his move to Bayer 04 and his targets with the Werkself.
Show moreBayer 04 Leverkusen have signed the Senegalese central defender Abdoulaye Faye. The 20-year-old joins the Bundesliga side from Swedish top-flight club BK Häcken. Faye has penned a contract at Leverkusen to 30 June 2030.
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