To date, it has been almost a perfect October for Atlético Madrid in La Liga. The Colchoneros have picked up 13 out of a possible 15 points this month. Last Saturday they beat Real Betis 2-1. The match ahead of the game against Bayer 04 ended in victory. This hard-fought win took Atléti up to third in the table and they are now the main challengers to the two big teams Real Madrid and Barcelona. "We kept calm at the end to secure three very important points," said Simeone commenting on the result.
The win at cup winners Real Betis is even more impressive as the club from Andalusia had previously won all of their last five home fixtures. Antoine Griezmann was the man of the match in Seville. The Frenchman, signed by Atletico from Barcelona, scored both of the goals for the visitors. And in a quite impressive manner. Griezmann opened the scoring from a corner (54’) and then nutmegged the Betis keeper Rui Silva with his weaker right foot (77'). Those were goals number four and five this season for the World Cup winner who has also provided three assists.
Griezmann has netted 147 goals in 308 games for Atletico – making him the third highest goalscorer in the club's history. Above all, coach Simeone is happy the 31-year-old has returned to top form in recent weeks. At the start of the season, he was only allowed to play 30 minutes per match due to his contractual position. Since no longer being on loan, with a contract to 2026 with Atlético, the Frenchman has flourished. "I'm happy to be there where I want to be," Griezmann shared on Twitter.
Fellow striker Alvaro Morata has also scored five goals in the league. And the Argentinian Angel Correa has found the back of the net three times. Joao Felix in contrast, the fourth star in the Colchoneros attack, has yet to score. At the same time, the Portuguese striker is rarely in Simeone it's starting eleven at the moment. The 22-year-old came off the bench on 76 minutes in Seville after not playing in the previous 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano.
As well as Atlético are performing in La Liga, the recent results in the Champions League have been disappointing for the team from the capital. The 2-0 defeat at Bayer 04 was followed by a similar scoreline against Group B leaders Club Brugge. And the second meeting with the Flemish team ended in a goalless draw. Simeone's team dominated the match and at times produced some exciting attacking football but they let too many chances go begging. Brugge keeper Simon Mignolet was on sparkling form on the night as well.
The Rojiblancos are currently third in the group with four points and that's one point and one position ahead of the Werkself. The clash between the Red and Whites and the Black and Reds could be decisive in terms of playing in Europe after the group stage. If Atlético win they will have a good chance of reaching the Round of 16. Bayer 04 would then be out of Europe this term.
Simeone will have to manage without his injured captain Koke for the game against the Black and Reds. Marcos Llorente and Thomas Lemar are also ruled out through injury.
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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On Monday evening, 8 June, around 250 people came to the Bürgerhaus Baumberg at the invitation of Bayer 04 to find out details of the new plans for the campus on Alfred-Nobel-Straße at an information event. More compact, greener and with many advantages for Monheim am Rhein - those are the aims. There were lively discussions for around three hours and some misunderstandings were cleared up.
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Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
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When Malik Tillman arrived at Bayer 04 Leverkusen from PSV Eindhoven last summer, he did more than just add attacking midfield strength to the team — he reconnected the club with a unique and understated American lineage that stretches back more than three decades.
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Bayer 04 are away to third-division club SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal. That was the outcome of the draw on Saturday night, 6 June, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. The Werkself first round tie will be played between 21 and 24 August. The exact date has yet to be finalised.
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