Six teams compete at the Western German finals for two places in the national Over 40s tournament to be held in the capital next year. Bayer 04, as the Middle Rhine champions, are joined by runners-up FC Hennef plus Arminia Bielefeld, VfB Salzkotten, VfB Speldorf and SF Niederwenigern in Duisburg. "They may not be the biggest names in football but will definitely prove to be very tough opponents," said Bayer 04 manager Dirk Dreher. The games, lasting 20 minutes, are played on a small pitch with rolling substitutions with each team having five outfield players plus a goalkeeper from a 12-man squad.
"There are one or two question marks in our squad but we’ll definitely field a very strong team determined to get to Berlin," said Dreher. Mike Rietpietsch, Thorsten Judt, Markus Happe and Marcus Feinbier have already confirmed, as has goalkeeper Daniel Galic, plus Carsten Baumann, Marc Bach, Zülfi Simsek and Christoph Chylla who are also in the Bayer 04 squad.
The Veterans have warmed up for the U40 showdown in Duisburg with two games in the local area. There was a hard-fought 6-4 win against a younger team from Eschweiler with goals from Marcus Feinbier (3). Hans-Peter Lehnhoff (2) and Marcel Podszus. While the hosts had no player over the age of 33, the 36-year-old Bayer 04 honorary skipper Simon Rolfes was the youngest member of the Werkself team that also included Erik Meijer (see photo above). Bayer 04 then went on to lose 5-3 in Zülpich against a team from Düren and Euskirchen. Feinbier (2) and Marko Schröder scored for Leverkusen.
Calling all Bayer 04 fans: The Werkself will play Pisa SC, newly promoted to Serie A, at the BayArena as part of the season opener. The clash with the club from Tuscany is on Tuesday, 5 August with the kick-off at 18:00 CET. Entrance to the stadium with a wide range of entertainment provided is possible from 15:00 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales for the season opener.
Show moreBayer 04 Leverkusen have signed the 17-year-old forward Dustin Buck. The Germany youth international joins from the youth set-up at FC Augsburg. The technically gifted and fast attacker will strengthen the Werkself U19 squad.
Show moreA new look and new kit supplier for the 2025/26 campaign: Bayer 04 in tandem with sports equipment manufacturer New Balance present the official kit for the Leverkusen eSports players the coming season. New partner Sinology appears on the top right of the jersey. Menswear outfitters Lerros is still the main eSports sponsor and Niedax remains the sleeve partner. The jersey is available now from the Bayer 04 online shop and the Fanwelt.
Show moreThe Werkself will welcome Serie A newcomers Pisa SC to the BayArena for a friendly on Tuesday, 5 August (kick-off: 18:00 CEST / stadium opens: 15:00) as part of the season opener celebrations. Bayer 04 will offer fans a lively and varied supporting programme on the stadium concourse. Ahead of kick-off, both the men's and women's senior squads will be introduced on the pitch.
Show moreBosnia U19 international Kerim Alajbegovic is moving from Bayer 04 Leverkusen's youth set-up to Red Bull Salzburg. The talented attacking midfielder has signed a long-term contract with the Austrian club. At the same time, the works club secured a buy-back option for the 17-year-old, who was one of the mainstays of the Leverkusen U19s.
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