There's something about playing TSG Hoffenheim in the first home game of the season. This will be the third time Bayer 04 have kicked off their home campaign against Hoffenheim. The first time was on 15 August 2009, which was a special date in the Leverkusen club's history. The match against TSG was the opening fixture at the rebuilt BayArena. And it was also a day of celebration for the Werkself pros and supporters alike: Away from the unpopular temporary home in Düsseldorf after a period of six months and finally back in familiar surroundings.
The Bayer 04 team, playing Hoffenheim in front 28,000 fans, were first out of the blocks and were clearly determined not to allow the visitors to spoil the opening party. However, patience was a definite virtue on that day. After the team, under coach Jupp Heynckes, had squandered a number of chances from Tranquillo Barnetta, Sami Hyypiä and Stefan Kießling, the only goal of the game was scored by Kießling on 67 minutes: Renato Augusto put the ball in from the right, it was backheeled to his fellow striker by Eren Derdiyok for a tap-in from close range.
The second time Bayer 04 met TSG in the first home game of the season was the opening fixture in the 2015/16 season. The Werkself came out on top again with Kießling playing a decisive role. Just before the break, the goal-getter scored to level at 1-1 after the TSG keeper Oliver Baumann parried a shot from Wendell. 'Kies' made his name as a bogeyman for the team from the Kraichgau and he lived up to that with his tenth goal against TSG. Steven Zuber had given Hoffenheim the lead on five minutes – the first goal conceded at home by the Werkself in 874 minutes after Bernd Leno had kept so many clean sheets at the BayArena. Julian Brandt, off the subs bench for just seven minutes, scored the deserved winner to make it 2-1 on 71 minutes after a counter-attack ending with an assist from Admir Mehmedi.
Bayer 04 and Hoffenheim face each other on Saturday for the third time in the opening Bundesliga fixture at Leverkusen. From a Werkself point of view, it will be good if the record is maintained.
MG Motor is continuing their close partnership with Bayer 04 Leverkusen. The official automotive partner for the Werkself will additionally remain a Leverkusen Premium Partner in the coming 2025/26 campaign as was the case last season. The dual commitment of MG Motor means the car manufacturer continues to provide reliable and important support to the Champions League club.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 4-0 win at Sonnenhof Großaspach in the first round of the DFB-Pokal 2025/26...
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Bayer 04 are through to the second round of the DFB Pokal after a 4-0 win at Sonnenhof Großaspach on Friday night. The game was paused after only 18 minutes due to a storm over the ground. After a lengthy delay, play resumed and Patrik Schick opened the scoring. Arthur, Christian Kofane and Alejandro Grimaldo made things more comfortable in the second half, as the fourth-tier side had two players sent off.
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There were no goals across 115 minutes of football between Bayer 04 Women and PSV Eindhoven in Friday’s friendly. Roberto Pätzold’s team played two 45-minute periods before an extra 25 minutes two days prior to heading to Rieden for their training camp. Their Dutch opponents were preparing for their UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifier in 12 days.
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