Some 100 fans took up the invitation from Bayer 04 and came to the Hotel Tauern Spa in Zell am See-Kaprun. Meinolf Sprink, director of fans/community, greeted the fans on the terrace of the restaurant. "Welcome! We are very happy that we can finally meet here again and talk to each other after the enforced break due to the coronavirus pandemic," said the 63-year-old.
That was followed by a Q & A session with Simon Rolfes. The honorary captain and current sporting managing director was enthusiastic about the past few days in Salzburger Land: "We not only have great weather but also a fantastic atmosphere – both in the team and with the coaching staff as well as with the fans." The 40-year-old went on to answer questions on the squad and he also provided a brief preview of the forthcoming Champions League campaign.
The players and fans met up for a group photo at the Alois Latini Stadium on Tuesday, and today there was the traditional kickabout between Bayer 04 staff and fans ahead of the meeting with the fans. The Werkself team included Simon Rolfes, honorary captain Stefan Kießling and team liaison manager Hans-Peter Lehnhoff.
All the players were exhausted but clearly happy after two 20-minute halves. "Of course, I'm happy that we were able to win the game again this year," said Rolfes with a wink of the eye when he spoke to the fans later on.
Bayer 04 and main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer have shown great commitment to the community as the sale of custom-designed T-shirts for charity in the Fanwelt as part of the “BarmeniaGothaer Brings Joy campaign raised a good €5,000. Bayer 04 matched this sum with an equal contribution. As a result, a total of €10,000 was presented to Edmond Tapsoba for his foundation ahead of the home match against Hamburg. The foundation supports people facing challenging daily circumstances in his home country of Burkina Faso.
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Bayer 04 host Hamburg at the BayArena for the first time since September 2017 on the final day of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season on Saturday (15:30 CEST). HSV are safe in their first campaign back in the top flight after back-to-back wins, but Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last 19 games against promoted teams as they go for the victory they need to have a chance to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. There’s also heavy discounts on food and drinks at the BayArena. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the Matchday 34 fixture in our matchday news.
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As well as previously confirmed departures, Bayer 04 Women will also say goodbye to Vanessa Haim and Shen Menglu before Sunday’s final game of the season at home to Werder Bremen as the pair leave Leverkusen upon the expiration of their contracts.
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The last competitive match of the 2025/26 season takes place at the BayArena on Saturday 16 May (kick-off 15:30 CEST), where Hamburger SV are the visitors. At the pre-match press conference, head coach Kasper Hjulmand discussed the mindset and the approach for the crucial final game against HSV, among other topics.
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