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.
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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