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.
Exciting experiences and exclusive insights into the Werkself and the BayArena awaited the young footballers from the BA04 Football Academy Guangzhou in China during their visit to the Rhineland this week. As well as taking part in a joint training session with the Bayer 04 Football Academy, the youngsters marvelled at the Bundesliga club’s stadium during a guided tour. The highlight of the visit was a private press conference with former Bayer 04 striker Stefan Kießling, during which he shared tips from his own career with the young players. On Saturday afternoon, 10 October, the group will round off their visit by supporting the Werkself in the away match in Mainz.
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Fun, games and promising talent: At the fourth Bayer 04 Junior Girls’ Talent Day at the Kurtekotten training centre, 90 football-mad girls had the chance to put themselves forward for the Werkself youth teams. During a 90-minute training session, children born between 2011 and 2019 had the chance to demonstrate their skills.
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Despite the international break, numerous Werkself fans turned up at the BayArena on Saturday 3 October. The occasion: Bayer 04, together with Bayer Vital and main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer, organised a Health Day. In the stadium’s Premium Lounge, guests listened to fascinating talks on the subject of cancer, featuring, amongst others, Bayer 04 record appearance holder Rüdiger Vollborn and former Werkself player Hans Sarpei. Afterwards, young and old alike enjoyed interactive stations such as a grip strength test and eye pupil test.
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In issue #56 of Werkself Magazine, Afonso Moreira offers some interesting insights into his home country, Portugal, as part of the ‘Sag mal’ (Tell me) feature. Among other things, the 21-year-old talks about his favourite places in the country on the Iberian Peninsula, the local cuisine and music, as well as heroes and historical figures beyond the world of football. ‘Sag mal’ with Afonso Moreira!
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