The Brazilian from the team under head coach Peter Bosz also knows his way around a virtual pitch. "I play FIFA every day after training. Best of all with friends in Brazil or sometimes just the normal online mode," revealed the 26-year-old, who signed for Bayer 04 in 2014. "I don't have any special tactics but I most like playing 4-3-3 and scoring goals from outside the penalty area." Wendell is primarily looking to beat Dresden's first team player Justin Löwe with a tactical approach: "Counter-attacks with quick finishing!" In the second game, 'deto' takes on the Dynamo fan and eSports player Marcel 'minusmacher31' Gramann.
The Bundesliga Home Challenge:
As a result of the suspension of fixtures in German professional football and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the DFL has set up the Bundesliga Home Challenge. 29 of the 36 Bundesliga clubs are represented on matchday two. The teams are made up of one first-team player per club plus "one person from the relevant club or associated with it." In addition, Deniz Aytekin and Daniel Schlager make up the Bundesliga referees team.
The challenge is played in the so-called 85 mode on PlayStation 4 without an official ranking. The virtual players therefore have the same overall strength. On matchday one, 'deto' and Stanilewicz played Darmstadt 98 with around 10,000 spectators watching the clash online.
The fourth European away trip of the season in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 takes the Werkself to the Greek capital. Head coach Kasper Hjulmand's team are away to Greek double winners Olympiacos on matchday seven in the UCL league phase. The match at the Karaiskakis Stadium is on Tuesday, 20 January (kick-off: 21:00 CET). We'll be taking you on a trip to Athens and reporting on the Werkself close-up...
Show more
A great honour for Bayer 04 Women's German international: as part of the 2025 Sports Awards, Carlotta Wamser entered her name into the City of Leverkusen's Golden Book. On Tuesday, she looked back on a special year in a talk in the Morsbroich Castle hall of mirrors.
Show more
It was a disappointing night in Athens: The Werkself lost 2-0 away to Olympiacos on Matchday 7 in the league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign. In a match that was intense and fiery from the outset, the high-pressing home side made the better start and took the lead through Costinha on two minutes. Although the Werkself had a number of chances to equalise, the clinical Greek side increased the lead to 2-0 shortly before half-time (45+1’). In the second half, Leverkusen once again gave their all and showed total commitment but, despite their best efforts, the Black and Reds were unable to break down the Olympiacos defence on the night.
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed a loan deal with Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach for Argentinian striker Alejo Sarco. The 20-year-old joins Mönchengladbach with immediate effect for the rest of the season.
Show more
The Werkself are away to Greek double winners Olympiacos on matchday 7 in the league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign. Tonight, 20 January (kick-off: 22:00 local time/21:00 CET), Bayer 04 will not only face a familiar face in Panagiotis Retsos, but also an experienced and successful team in their Greek top-flight opponents. The Olympiacos midfield and forward line in particular are peppered with seasoned veterans from top European clubs - but even they will first have to find solutions against the Werkself defence that has recently performed with aplomb in the UCL. The matchday news.
Show more
