
In addition to Kristin Kögel and Katharina Piljic, who made their debuts for the new junior team in October, who have been called up by Germany coach Kathrin Peter, the two U20 World Cup participants Sofie Zdebel and Loreen Bender plus central defender Selina Ostermeier are in the squad of 23 players. That means the Werkself are providing the most players along with Bundesliga rivals Eintracht Frankfurt. Defender Julia Mickenhagen, who also made her debut for the U23 team in October, is again on standby. For the first time, the same also applies to Kögel, who was recently captain of the U23s, in terms of the senior Germany side. The midfielder is on standby for the squad under new Germany coach Christian Wück for the internationals against Switzerland and Italy.





In the 2024/25 campaign, Germany and nine other countries are involved in European fixtures for U23 international women's teams. This is open to players born on or after 1 January 2002. In addition, up to five older players can be selected, which means Kögel and Ostermeier are in contention.
After the coming weekend, featuring the matches in the DFB Pokal Round of 16, the squad will meet up in Bad Gögging on Monday, 25 November. On Thursday, 28 November (kick-off: 18.30 CET), the Germany U23 team will play the first of two friendlies against Spain in Munich followed four days later by an away game against Belgium in Tubize on Monday, 2 December (16.00 CET).

Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career as he worked as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personalised Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month.
Show more
Kasper Hjulmand has led the Werkself back to winning ways and is back in the knockout phase of the UEFA Champions League with Bayer 04 after the 3-0 win against Villarreal on Wednesday evening. In an interview with the Werkself magazine at the BayArena in the team meeting room, directly opposite the dressing room, he provided some special insights for the current issue, which was published in January. A conversation with the 53-year-old coach about values, attitudes and personal experiences as well as interests outside of football.
Show more
The thrilling 3-1 win for Bayer 04 against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Hinrunde is a fond memory for Alejandro Grimaldo, with his brace from free kicks, and coach Kasper Hjulmand, who was in the dugout under the Cross for the first time. Now comes the return fixture in the metropolis on the River Main and after going out of the DFB Pokal and the Champions League, the full focus at Eintracht, currently managed by two interim coaches, is now on the Bundesliga. For their part, the Werkself will do everything in their power to continue the longest winning run against a Bundesliga club. The matchday news.
Show more
Bayer 04 have ended Artem Stepanov’s loan deal at Nürnberg and agreed a new loan to Utrecht in the Netherlands. The Ukrainian striker did not play as much as hoped for at the Bundesliga 2 club and will now continue his development in the Eredivisie for the rest of 2025/26.
Show more
The draw for the knockout play-offs of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League was made on Friday, 30 January and saw Bayer 04 paired with Olympiacos. It’s a reunion with the Greek side following the Werkself’s 2-0 loss in Athens on Matchday 7 of the league phase.
Show more