Sunday's match (25 February, 15.30 CET) should be an "an evenly balanced encounter" according to the Werkself head coach – Bayer 04 are currently just one point and two places above the Royal Blues. At the end of the season, both teams will want to finish in a place that ensures European football next term. "Two teams face each other who want to end up in the top positions in the table," said Herrlich before adding: "A win would put us four points ahead of Schalke. If Schalke win they will go above us. We definitely want to avoid that."
As in the 1-1 draw against Schalke earlier in the season, this match is also likely to present the Werkself with a challenge. "They were very effective when we played them earlier in the season. They sat back a lot but were still able to get results. That has changed slightly after the winter break," said Herrlich referring to his team's possession in the previous meeting. Above all from the last two Schalke performances, the Werkself coach has learned a lesson for the build-up to this weekend's fixture: "They have moved on, they vary their tactics much more in defence. They tried to press Bayern Munich recently and played very high up the pitch against Hoffenheim and launched their attacks up front. I can imagine they will try the same against."
The visitors also have options in their attack: Alongside Guido Burgstaller defender Naldo is the second highest scorer for the Royal Blues. The Brazilian has scored four of his five goals this season with his head and that explains the great strength of the team coached by Domenico Tedesco: Set pieces– a total of 17 of Schalke's 36 goals this season have come from dead balls. That's the highest number in the league. The Werkself coaching staff have focused on successful defending this week.
While Wendell is available again after his foot injury, Herrlich will have to manage without Jonathan Tah again. As in last week's game against Hamburg SV, the 22-year-old is still laid low with a bout of flu. "He's getting better but I said to him yesterday he doesn't need to hurry back but rather focus on the next game," said Herrlich before adding: "Clearly, if there is a rapid recovery by Sunday we will have to look at it again. But we have to plan and without him at the moment. His health takes priority," Herrlich also announced Tah’s place in central defence alongside Sven Bender will again be taken by Panos Retsos. The 19-year-old has already justified the confidence of his coach against HSV with an impressive display. "Panos has great quality and is incredible for his age," declared Herrlich.
As with Tah, the game against Schalke comes too early for the skipper Lars Bender. The 28-year-old defensive all rounder was on the pitch for the first time on Thursday since his torn thigh muscle. "Lars will join in with full training today. We aren't taking any risks but rather planning for the game against Wolfsburg without him," explained Herrlich looking forward to the next fixture in eight days. Up to then, the main focus is on the match against Schalke 04.
Bayer 04 are expecting a full house at the BayArena with around 3,500 away fans set to visit Leverkusen.
Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career as he worked as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personalised Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month…
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From special edition jerseys to fan banners, the home game against Mainz 05 was all about the many Bayer 04 fan clubs. Accordingly, a fitting tribute to the long-standing Werkself supporters was not to be missed during half-time in the Bundesliga match. Fernando Carro, CEO, honoured the up to 50-year anniversaries of six fan clubs in front of the coaches' benches at the BayArena.
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It is an expression of solidarity and a tribute to the unique fan culture Under the Cross: Bayer 04 Leverkusen make a special statement with the "50 Years of Fan Clubs" jersey. To mark the founding of the "First Fan Club 1976 Leverkusen", which was followed by many more over the years right up to the present day, the Bundesliga club is commemorating 50 years of passion with this new jersey. Highs and lows, successes celebrated together as well as defeats suffered are manifested in this piece of white fabric, a symbol of unwavering identification with the Werkself.
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There’s lots going on at the BayArena today. The home game against FSV Mainz 05 is all about the numerous Bayer 04 fan clubs, whose birth - the founding of the "1. Fanclub 1976 Leverkusen" - dates back 50 years. A number of fan club representatives will be involved in awards, a banner display and a half-time matchday chat, and the Werkself are set to play in a special white fan club jersey. During half-time, Leverkusen mayor Stefan Hebbel and javelin world champion Steffi Nerius will also talk about the Olympic bid involving Leverkusen. Black and Red fans are advised to get to the stadium in good time today. Matchday news.
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The Werkself host Premier League club Arsenal in the Round of 16 first leg in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign. The match at the BayArena is on 10/11 March. Read on for information on ticket sales for this fixture.
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