The 20 travelling fan club members took the clash with Borussia Mönchengladbach (2-2) as an opportunity to support the Werkself again live at the BayArena. Following the game, they made their Player of the Season award. This year’s winner is Jeremie Frimpong. The wing-back accepted the award in person.
After the final whistle, the defender went to the home end where he thanked the Werkself fans from Britain: "I didn't know that there was a Bayer 04 Fan club in the UK. It's great that the fans came over specially for the match and to present the award. I feel totally honoured!" Of course, after the presentation of the trophy there was the opportunity for group photos, selfies and a chat with the Leverkusen player.
Frimpong was born in Amsterdam but moved to Manchester in the north of England with his family when he was a child. He was at the Manchester City Academy and he played for the U23 team of this season's Champions League finalists in 2018/19. He then signed for Celtic and played for the Scottish club in the Europa League in 2020/21 and collected several honours at a national level. He won the Scottish Premiership, the Scottish Cup as well as the Scottish League Cup with Celtic in 2020. He joined Bayer 04 the start of 2021.
He is the second highest goalscorer at the club this season with nine goals behind teammate Moussa Diaby. Frimpong last scored in a 4-1 away win at Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League quarter-final second leg. To date he has made 94 appearances and played over 7,000 minutes in a Werkself shirt.
Today sees Bayer 04 go head-to-head with their next direct rivals in the race for Champions League qualification (kick-off 15:30 CEST). Opponents Stuttgart are currently fifth in the table, level on points with the Werkself but one place below them due to a three-goal inferior goal difference. The Black and Reds' record at Bad Cannstatt tells a clearer story: they've not lost at VfB for over 16 years. One important factor in securing what would be three crucial points away from home is Leverkusen's strength on the counter-attack. Whilst Stuttgart are also extremely dangerous going forward, they will be without their captain. Today’s matchday news.
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Another showdown in the race for the Champions League places takes place in Swabia: on Saturday 9 May (kick-off 15:30 CEST), the Werkself visit VfB Stuttgart, who are only behind on goal difference. In his pre-match press conference, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about confidence, excitement and mentality.
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Reinforcement in attack: Bayer 04 Leverkusen have secured the transfer of striker Maja Sternad from Bundesliga rivals SV Werder Bremen. The 22-year-old has signed a contract until 30 June 2028.
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It's a thrilling situation: as the season draws to a close, Stuttgart and Bayer 04 are heading into the home stretch almost neck and neck. After 32 games, with 17 wins, seven draws and eight defeats each, both teams are on 58 points. Even in terms of goals scored, VfB and the Werkself are level on 66. The Black and Reds have conceded just three fewer goals (43) than their rivals (46), which is why they sit one place behind fourth-placed Leverkusen. This Saturday, 9 May (kick-off: 15.30 CEST), the two teams go head to head at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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