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!
The 2025/26 Bundesliga season begins for the Werkself with a home game against Hoffenheim on Saturday. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the Matchday 1 fixture at the BayArena.
Show moreThe Bundesliga is back! Bayer 04 entertain TSG Hoffenheim on Matchday 1 of the 2025/26 season on Saturday, 23 August (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). Ahead of the game, head coach Erik ten Hag talked about the palpable excitement ahead of the league start for the team and himself, as well as providing a squad update and discussing the latest new signings.
Show morePreseason was pretty much perfect for TSG Hoffenheim. Head coach Christian Ilzer's side won all eight friendlies and didn't put a foot wrong last weekend at Hansa Rostock in the DFB Pokal either. TSG go into the next game against the Werkself at the BayArena on Saturday, 23 August (kick-off 15:30 CEST) with several new faces and plenty of confidence. The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show moreThe Werkself have completed an intensive preseason and made a successful start to the 2025/26 campaign in the DFB Pokal as the new Bundesliga season finally starts this week. And, as in the cup tie in Großaspach (4-0), head coach Erik ten Hag's team can continue to look forward to strong support from the Bayer 04 fans at the BayArena. There is continuing high demand for tickets both for match tickets and season cards. And other stats from the past weeks and months show: the fans are up for Bayer 04!
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