Bayer 04 start the 40th season in the Bundesliga with an away game at Borussia Mönchengladbach. The fixture list was published at midday by the German Football League (DFL). The Werkself have eight home games in the first half of the season including the opener on matchday two against VfL Wolfsburg. That is followed by an away game at record champions Bayern Munich. The final game of the campaign for Bayer 04 is away to Hertha Berlin at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin on 18 May 2019. The Werkself had the same opponents on matchdays 1 and 34 in the 2016/17 season.
"It's an attractive start to the season away to a strong opponent, particularly as it feels like a derby. I'm looking forward to it," said Rudi Völler, future sporting managing director at Bayer 04, after the fixture list was released. Head coach Heiko Herrlich assesses the first outing of the campaign as follows: "Gladbach away is definitely a challenge. I think it's a good fixture and a cracker to start with." The Werkself played twice at Mönchengladbach last term winning both games against Borussia. First came a 5-1 win in the Bundesliga after being a goal down at half-time (photo: Julian Brandt celebrates scoring), and then a 1-0 win in the DFB Cup.
Ticket packages go on sale to Club members on 10 July at 10.00 CET and on general sale from 17 July at 10.00. This covers three games in a package – with one each from categories A, B and C. Information on match tickets will be released shortly at bayer04.de.
Bundesliga season number 56 opens on Friday 24 August with the match between reigning champions Bayern Munich and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. The later start to the season, due to this summer's World Cup, means the first half of the season ends on 23 December. Timings for the Bundesliga fixtures will be announced by the DFL in calendar week 28 to the middle of July.
Matchday 1, 24-26.8. (Return game: 18 -21.1.19)
Borussia Mönchengladbach v Bayer 04
Matchday 2, 31.8.-2.9. (Return game: 25-28.1.19)
Bayer 04 v VfL Wolfsburg
Matchday 3, 14-16.9. (Return game: 1-4.2.19)
FC Bayern Munich v Bayer 04
Matchday 4, 21-23.9. (Return game: 8-11.2.19)
Bayer 04 v FSV Mainz 05
Matchday 5, 25-26.9. (Return game: 15-22.2.19)
Fortuna Düsseldorf v Bayer 04
Matchday 6, 28-30.9. (Return game: 22-25.2.19)
Bayer 04 v Borussia Dortmund
Matchday 7, 5-7.10. (Return game: 1-4.3.19)
SC Freiburg v Bayer 04
Matchday 8, 19-21.10. (Return game: 8-11.3.19)
Bayer 04 v Hannover 96
Matchday 9, 26-28.10. (Return game: 15-17.3.19)
Werder Bremen v Bayer 04
Matchday 10, 2-4.11. (Return game: 29.3.-1.4.19)
Bayer 04 v TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
Matchday 11, 9-11.11. (Return game: 5-8.4.19)
RB Leipzig v Bayer 04
Matchday 12, 23.11.-25.11. (Return game: 12-15.4.19)
Bayer 04 – VfB Stuttgart
Matchday 13, 30.11.-3.12. (Return game: 20-22.4.19)
FC Nürnberg v Bayer 04
Matchday 14, 7-9.12. (Return game: 26-29.4.19)
Bayer 04 v FC Augsburg
Matchday 15, 14-16.12. (Return game: 3-6.5.19)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Bayer 04
Matchday 16, 18-19.12. (Return game: 11.5.19)
FC Schalke 04 v Bayer 04
Matchday 17, 21-23.12. (Return game: 18.5.19)
Bayer 04 v Hertha BSC
Edmond Tapsoba has signed an early extension to his contract with Bayer 04 Leverkusen. With two years left on his current deal, the 27-year-old Burkina Faso international has extended his contract until 30 June 2031. The centre-back joined as a young talent from Portuguese top-flight club Vitoria Guimaraes at the start of 2020.
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A special surprise: during the preview for the 'Fierté Burkinabè' documentary about Edmond Tapsoba, Bayer 04 directors Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes announced Tapsoba's contract extension until 2031 together with the centre-back. He then spoke to Werkself-TV about his time in Leverkusen so far and future ambitions...
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This evening was deeply moving: At a really special setting, Bayer 04 exclusively presented the specially produced documentary ‘Fierté Burkinabè’ ("Burkinabe Pride") about Edmond Tapsoba on Tuesday. For the preview at the BayArena, the parents of the Werkself player and other close companions travelled all the way from his African homeland Burkina Faso. The 45-minute film shows Tapsoba's extraordinary career from his beginnings in Ouagadougou to Leverkusen as well as the work of his foundation "Fondation Edmond Tapsoba", with representatives from Burkina Faso also present. Fans can watch the documentary free of charge on Werkself TV and YouTube from Wednesday night at 20:00 CEST.
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Bayer 04 have signed left-back Carolin Simon from champions Bayern Munich for the coming season. The 33-year-old former Germany international, who played for Leverkusen from 2013 to 2016, has signed a contract to 30 June 2028.
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Bayer 04 Women have strengthened for the coming season with the signing of Lobke Loone. The 23-year-old Dutch striker joins from Utrecht on a contract until 30 June 2028.
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