The Werkself could reach the final of a major European competition for the third time in the club's history today, having previously achieved this in 1987/88 in the UEFA Cup and in the 2001/02 UEFA Champions League.
Roma, meanwhile, could become the third team to reach the UEFA Europa League final in consecutive seasons after Benfica (2012/13 and 2013/14) and Sevilla (2013/14, 2014/15 and 2015/16). To do that, the Italian club will have to improve on their record on German soil: Roma have not won any of their previous six European away games against German sides, scoring just six goals in the process.
After the semi-final first leg, Roma were back in league action on Sunday at home to Juventus. With a much-changed starting line-up, including a completely reshaped defence, the Giallorossi drew 1-1 with the third-placed 'Old Lady', Romelu Lukaku scoring the goal for the hosts. Given the tight situation in the Serie A table, the point wasn't enough for coach Daniele De Rossi, "because a draw doesn't help us currently". The result saw AS slip from the fifth Champions League spot to sixth as rivals Atalanta won their match. There's more on Roma in our opposition check.
For Bayer 04 fans attending the second leg, there'll be a fan fest on Rathaus-Platz in Wiesdorf from 13:30, organised by the Nordkurve12 fan group. As well as atmospheric music, there'll be cold drinks and a range of food on offer. The event will finish around 18:30 with a march to the BayArena.
Danny Makkelie from the Netherlands is the referee for tonight's encounter. The 41-year-old official will be assisted by compatriots Hessel Steegstra and Jan de Vries on the touchlines and Rob Dieperink as 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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