The opposition Darmstadt are not to be underestimated. Even if Darmstadt have lost two competitive matches in succession under Norbert Meier for the first time and also failed to score twice in succession under the new coach, the Werkself will again "give 100 per cent to play our own game."
"We want to give our fans, who provided such great support at Wembley, another great afternoon," declared Roger Schmidt with the positive impression from London still evident. "The match against Tottenham Hotspur went like a dream. We work hard all year for nights like that as we aim to qualify for the Champions League."
However: "The trip was very tiring for us all – we landed at four in the morning. I'll see the lads after the final training session and then I'll see what condition my players are in."
Without Kampl and Bender
The stresses and strains of recent weeks are noticeable in terms of personnel: Kevin Kampl misses out due to a bruised foot. "We are relieved that it's only heavy bruising and not a broken metatarsal," said Schmidt. The Werkself skipper Lars Bender is also sidelined according to Schmidt. In addition long-term injuries Karim Bellarabi, Vladlen Yurchenko and Joel Pohjanpalo are all still unavailable. Kevin Volland is suspended.
Hakan Calhanoglu is fit again! Calhanoglu "like all the substitutes on Wednesday night did his job very well. It's important that he's fit again," said Schmidt who, at the end of the press conference, spoke in detail about home-grown talent Kai Havertz who at the age of 17 years, four months and 22 days became the second youngest German Champions League debutant after Serge Gnabry (17 years 3 months and 10 days), and Benny Henrichs: "The same applies to both of them: To succeed at the highest level you need a certain strength and determination in challenges. Henrichs has shown that very quickly and made great progress. And Havertz is also in the position to win challenges at the highest level. Who we are happy to have him and other great young talents at the club. I see it as one of our tasks to promote such talented players."
The BayArena is sold out on Saturday with the exception of the visitors section. Around 1,300 Darmstadt fans are expected.
The German Football Association (DFB) has officially recognised Bayer 04 as a centre for the development of female talent for the 2026/27 season. The club was awarded that role on 1 January 2026, and this status has now been renewed.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have sold young defender Andrea Natali to AZ Alkmaar on permanent terms. The 18-year-old Italian was on loan at the Dutch club last season, where he mainly played for the reserve team in the second division.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have loaned new signing Luca Erlein to newly promoted FC Energie Cottbus for the 2026/27 season. This will give him the opportunity to play in Bundesliga 2. The club signed the 19-year-old right-back on a permanent basis last week, on a contract to 30 June 2030.
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Werkself TV shows the highlights of the 3-1 victory in the friendly match at Kickers Offenbach...
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It’s always nice having your best friends round for a birthday! Bayer 04 made a guest appearance at Stadion am Bieberer Berg as part of Offenbacher Kickers’ 125th anniversary celebrations, and nearly 1,500 Werkself supporters accepted the invitation to this historic venue, joining the Offenbach crowd in celebrating the more than 45-year friendship between the clubs. On the pitch, the Werkself secured a 3–1 victory in the friendly against the fourth-tier Regionalliga side. The Leverkusen goals were scored by Christian Kofane (38’), Jonas Hofmann (48’) and Afonso Moreira (81’). Keanu Staude had put the hosts ahead in the first half (11’).
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