New captain Charles Aránguiz and his teammates have had about one and a half weeks to prepare. An unusually short length of time to get a team ready for a new campaign. "But the players who were here last season know how we want to play," Peter Bosz explained on Friday afternoon at the first press conference for several months in front of members of the media – although they were subject to strict hygiene regulations.
The illustrious circle of people who have taken in the demanding tactical ideas of the Dutchman includes Lennart Grill. The goalkeeper and former Kaiserslautern player has been training at Leverkusen since the middle of July. That means only Patrik Schick will have to get used to a new way of playing. The central striker joined the Werkself this week from AS Roma – and it seems highly likely that he will be included in the squad for Sunday. Bosz on the Czech Republic international: "He's only trained twice up to now. But what I've seen has been good – so he could play a role."
Schick will be at the BayArena a few days after his arrival. That also applies to 300 spectators who will be able to support the Werkself live for the first time in over six months. "It's a first step. Even though there are only 300 – I'm happy for every single fan," said Bosz. "It's much more fun playing in front of a crowd at a stadium. It's all part of it and it's a huge factor."
The spectators on Sunday will not be able to see Leon Bailey. The Jamaican is still waiting for test results after his time in quarantine in his home country. If they are negative then the 23 year-old will be allowed to travel to Germany. Meanwhile, Paulinho is working on his comeback. The Brazilian suffered a torn cruciate in the week before the DFB Cup final.
As it stands, Bosz will have the rest of his players to choose from on Sunday. Whoever the Dutchman finally chooses for the squad against Eintracht – the target has already been clearly defined: "We will take it seriously. Norderstedt deserve this game but it's one we have to win. The match is also important in respect of getting ready for the new campaign."
Match information:
Broadcasters: Sky and Werks11 Radio (bayer04.de)
Referee: The match officials will be announced on the day of the game
Attendance: 300
High spirits and previously untold stories: Around 100 Bayer 04 fans packed the Schwadbud fan pub in the east stand of the BayArena on Thursday evening to be there in person for the first instalment of the new series of events entitled “Rudi lädt ein” (Rudi invites you). They listened intently as long-serving Werkself players Gonzalo Castro and Stefan Kießling chatted with record appearance-maker Rüdiger Vollborn and presenter and stadium announcer Tobias Ufer about their many years together at the club, shared amusing anecdotes and revealed dressing room secrets. Anyone who missed the premiere can already look forward to the second instalment – on 12 May, Rudi will be testing the expert knowledge of Bayer 04 fans during a quiz night.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen are further expanding their partner network: The feed manufacturer PerNaturam is an official sponsor of the Bayer 04 Womens team. The partnership opens up a wide range of opportunities for the company to position its brand in the Bundesliga environment.
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Do you dream of wearing the Bayer cross on your chest? To play in black and red like your role models Loreen Bender, Cornelia Kramer, Kristin Kögel and co. from the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga? Then take your chance now! Our female youth teams are once again on the lookout for new talent. That's why Bayer 04 are organising a talent day on 12 April 2026 for the first time this year with trials for female juniors.
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