As ever, there’s exciting facts and figures on the clash between Leverkusen and Mainz in the matchday Werkself LIVE flyer. The special feature of the new publication is that you have everything you need to know about the match on one page, and on the other there’s a poster of our teenage sensation Florian Wirtz. So, you’re best set for the game at the BayArena. Click HERE for the ePaper (in German).
The DFB has appointed Bastian Dankert to referee the game against Mainz. He’s assisted by Rene Rohde and Marcel Unger, with Harm Osmers acting as VAR. The 41-year-old from Rostock oversaw last season’s game away at Mainz, with Lucas Alario scoring the only goal of the day.
While spectators should never arrive late at the BayArena when the Werkself are in action, that’s especially the case this Saturday. Seven of the 15 goals Gerardo Seoane’s side have scored in the league this season have come in the opening quarter of an hour.
That total is a new record in the Bundesliga, and Seoane has said he wants to build on that against the 05ers: “It’ll be about being active from the first minute.”
Ze Elias came to the BayArena in summer 1996 from Brazilian side Corinthians and was part of the Leverkusen squad that finished runners-up in the league. The midfielder played 23 times under new coach Christoph Daum. After a year with the Werkself, Elias moved on to Inter Milan. Today is his 45th birthday, so happy birthday!
Bayer 04 can go through to the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League for the ninth time tonight, 24 February (kick-off: 21:00 CET) and be in the top 16 clubs in Europe. A good omen: Leverkusen have progressed to the next round after winning the first leg in 20 of their 22 knockout rounds in European competitions to date. For their part, Greek record champions Olympiacos rested several players for last weekend’s league fixture ahead of the play-off second leg at the BayArena and will now do everything in their power to turn the tide with their usual aggressive and high pressing. The discussions on Werkself radio are likely to be just as intense as the battle on the pitch, with commentator Florian Bechholz welcoming honorary captain Stefan Kießling and goalkeeper Mark Flekken. Today’s matchday news.
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With the advantage of the 2-0 first-leg win in the play-offs, the Werkself are looking to book their place in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League at the sold-out BayArena. Ahead of the home game against Olympiacos on Tuesday, 24 February (kick-off: 21:00 CET), coach Kasper Hjulmand and goalkeeper Janis Blaswich spoke about the position ahead of the match, the visitors' strength at set-pieces and a personnel issue for the home side.
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With a win in the Greek Super League last weekend, Olympiacos achieved success on the pitch ahead of the UEFA Champions League play-off second leg at Bayer 04 on Tuesday, 24 February (kick-off: 21:00 CET). Coach José Luis Mendilibar rested many of his regular starters.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 0-1 loss against TSG Hoffenheim on the 19th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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