For the second year running, Bayer 04 and AS Roma meet in the semi-finals of the Europa League. It's the first time ever that the Werkself have reached the final four of a major European competition in two consecutive seasons. For Roma, meanwhile, it's a fourth semi-final in a row - Real Madrid are the only other side to have achieved that since the 2020/21 season.
In total, this evening will be the seventh competitive meeting between the two clubs. The first was back in the group stage of the 2004/05 UEFA Champions League, which Bayer 04 won 3-1 at home. Since then, the Black-and-Reds have been winless against the Giallorossi (D3 L2).
The two semi-final first legs in Rome are almost a year apart. Much has changed with the team currently occupying fifth place in Serie A. For a start, the Italian club signed Sardar Azmoun on loan from Leverkusen last summer. And in January, a real club legend took charge of the side in Daniele de Rossi, who has overseen an upswing in fortunes since taking up his post. With 30 points in 14 league games under the 40-year-old, the capital club have climbed from ninth to fifth in the standings. In the Europa League, where they've lost just one of their last 25 home matches, they knocked out Feyenoord on penalties in the knockout round play-offs before getting past Premier League outfit Brighton & Hove Albion in the round of 16. Roma then clinched their place in the semis with two wins over league rivals AC Milan. Our in-depth opposition profile has everything else you need to know about de Rossi's side.
There'll be a world champion in both dugouts tonight. De Rossi won the World Cup with Italy in Germany in 2006, while Xabi Alonso and Spain lifted the golden trophy in South Africa in 2010.
UEFA has appointed French official François Letexier for the first leg at the Stadio Olimpico. The 35-year-old will be assisted by his countrymen Cyril Mugnier and Mehdi Rahmouni on the sidelines, while Jérôme Brisard is the VAR.
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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