Karim Bellarabi and Wendell have agreed new long-term contracts at Bayer 04.
“We’re happy to finally get started again and we’re particularly happy that we were able to convince Wendell and Karim Bellarabi that it is the right decision to make a long-term commitment to Bayer 04,” said Rudi Völler in opening the press conference broadcast live on bayer04.de.
Ahead of the top match, head coach Roger Schmidt was very optimistic about the prevailing mood in the team: “This a very, very good sign for the club and for our group. We go into this match in very good shape. It will be an exciting game.”
Schmidt sees Gladbach as a very strong opponent: “Like us, they have a have a solid squad that is constantly strengthened.” From a tactical perspective Schmidt is primarily expecting a lot of turnover moments: “Both teams want to use winning possession to hurt the opposition. Gladbach are really very good at that - but so are we. Gladbach have intelligent, quick players up front. We’re prepared for that and we have to be tactically on our guard and react accordingly.”
Chicharito (broken hand), Stefan Kießling (back in full training) and Lars Bender are all ruled out. Julian Brandt could be back. Schmidt: “Julian Brandt is on top form. If he doesn’t say, ‘it’s not on, I’ve hardly slept a wink’ then we’ll take him with us.”
Ticket update
Bayer 04 will have the support of 2,600 fans at Gladbach. The away ticket office (at Borussia Park) still has seats available for Block 7 (€40.50). The office opens on the matchday 2 ½ hours before kick-off.
Bayer 04 player Carlotta Wamser is part of a VIP group joining together for the launch of the DFB campaign Punktespiel 2.0. The Germany international, who signed for the Werkself in the summer, will be speaking tonight (Monday) alongside former Leverkusen managing director sport Rudi Völler, now the current DFB sporting director, plus DFB president Bernd Neuendorf and DFB vice-president Peter Frymuth at the FC Grenzwacht Hürtgen club house about the new clubs campaign launched by the German Football Association (DFB).
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The Werkself are away to FC St. Pauli on Matchday 5 in the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign. The game at the Millerntor Stadion will be played on Saturday, 27 September with the kick-off at 15:30 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales.
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After seven days in Rieden, Bavaria, Bayer 04 Women returned to Leverkusen on Saturday. With a lot of intensive training sessions on the pitch and a high-quality friendly against Bundesliga runners-up VfL Wolfsburg (2-3) in their legs, the Werkself party left the Hotel Gut Matheshof with a lot of valuable insights. Head coach Roberto Pätzold discussed the key points from the training camp.
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Four Bundesliga debuts and a maiden goal, but no points: the Werkself toiled in their Bundesliga opener against TSG Hoffenheim at the BayArena but went down 2-1, struggling particularly in the final third although allowing few chances themselves. Head coach Erik ten Hag was positive about his team's defensive display, but also knows: "We have a lot of work to do." The Werkself Review.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 1-2 loss against TSG Hoffenheim on the 1st matchday of the Bundesliga 2025/26...
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