CSKA struggle in Germany
The last six European games against German teams have ended in defeat for CSKA Moscow. The Russians have lost all five European games in Germany with a goal difference of 3 for and 13 against. CSKA are in Champions League group stage for the tenth time. The team from Moscow have not won any of their games on match day one in the group stage (three draws, six defeats).
Club record
There was huge joy at qualifying again for the Champions League: Bayer 04 have now qualified for Europe seven times in succession – a new club record. In total, this is the eleventh Champions League campaign for the Werkself and the fourth on the bounce.
On target
Only FC Bayern, Real Madrid (19 each) and Barcelona (15) have appeared more often in the Champions League group stages than the Werkself (13 times, as have Chelsea and Zenit).
Striker Chicharito netted five goals in six Champions League games in 2015/16. No Werkself player has ever reached that target in Europe's elite club competition in so few games. Strike partner Kevin Volland is on the verge of making his European debut.
Black armband
The Werkself will wear black arm bands tonight. Herman Josef Strenger, the former chairman of Bayer AG, passed away recently. There are no one-minute silences at Champions League matches.
Live ticker
The Bayer 04 LIVE APP, recently nominated one of the most innovative apps on a popular App blog, will be packed full of exclusive information (in German) on Bayer 04 on Saturday. You can download it now to keep up-to-date with the action at Werkself while you are on the move.>> bit.ly/b04live
Get on the double-decker bus
On Monday the new jewel in the crown in red and black was presented in front of the town hall gallery in Leverkusen. The new double-decker bus needs a name and suggestions can be sent to club@bayer04.de by the closing date of Sunday 18 September. A panel will then decide on the winning entry and the successful competitors will receive two VIP tickets for a selected home game as a prize.
Name suggestions can also be delivered in person at the Champions League home game against CSKA Moscow on Wednesday. The double-decker bus will be parked in front of the Smidt Arena for the first time at home game.
Local traffic update
Anybody heading to the BayArena by car on Wednesday night should be prepared for delays. As part of the construction of an HGV barrier system to protect the Rhine Bridge in Leverkusen, the A1 in the direction of Koblenz at the Leverkusen West motorway junction will be down to one lane from 23.00 CET on Wednesday to 05.00 CET on Thursday. In addition, the connecting road from the Leverkusen Rheinallee to the A1 will be closed from 22.00 CET to 05.00 CET. The diversion via Rheindorf is indicated by red dots. Anybody coming via the A 59 from the direction of Düsseldorf and wanting to go onto the A1 can use the motorway junction and travel onto the Rhine Bridge.
After eight years in the youth set-up at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Benjamin Adam is leaving the club. The 35-year-old, who most recently coached the Leverkusen U17s, will take charge of the Hansa Rostock U19 team next season.
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There was a successful end to the women's internationals with Werkself players Carlotta Wamser and Cornelia Kramer qualifying for the 2027 World Cup finals in Brazil. A third Leverkusen player is still in with a chance of joining them. The Germany U23 players also experienced success in their last two international friendlies of the season.
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Traveling to North America for the World Cup this summer to see your favorite Bayer 04 players? Here’s a quick cheat sheet with thumbnail portraits and insider tips for each city from a local expert, so you can make the most of your visit and activities beyond the game!
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A fresh look for the BayArena: The Bayer 04 stadium will have new seating in the form of folding seats for the 2026/27 campaign that will ensure significantly improved seating comfort and simplified movement within the rows of seats. As part of routine replacement after 17 years, fans of the Werkself were able to purchase the existing seats, used to witness the first German league title in the club's history. In addition, a large proportion of the seats will be donated to charitable projects, primarily in the local region. Bayer 04 fans can look forward to new, functional folding seats for the season opener at the beginning of August - still in the club colours of black and red, of course. A glimpse at the BayArena during the refurbishment.
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