
On Tuesday afternoon, a group of 20 children, including Bayer 04 mascot Brian the Lion, made their way to the press conference room at the BayArena. They were eagerly awaiting the arrival of the two Germany internationals Robert Andrich and Jonas Hofmann. Then the door opened and the Bayer 04 players were greeted with loud applause.
A barrage of questions followed introductions. There was a big surprise at the beginning with the question on Hoffmann's passion of building Lego. The cheerful offensive player responded: "My favourite range is Star Wars, yesterday I finished building the Imperial Star Destroyer."
Andrich explained his hidden talents: "I like to sing and dance." The 29-year-old let the children know he most likes spending his free time with his family and that he takes his child to nursery before training. Andrich also revealed with a smile what he was thinking when he made his assist for the opening goal against Bayern Munich: "I just crossed it without looking."







In addition, the children wanted to know which teammates the two of them got on best with. Andrich: "We all get on really well in the team. Of course, it’s easier for us to get on with the ones who speak the same language. It's usually like that."
Hofmann revealed his first Bundesliga goal is his favourite and he rates teammate Andrich's "sometimes mad clothes and hair." Hofmann added with a wink, "Rob is sometimes really funny." In response to the question whether both players have a nutritionist, the 31-year-old Hofmann replied: "A healthy diet is very important as an athlete and we have a nutritionist here at the club. When you win a game you sometimes obviously drink and eat something that's perhaps a little less healthy." (laughs)






After the questions, the two players took time out for a group photograph and numerous requests for autographs. Then it was down to football with some of the children showing Andrich and Hoffman tricks, which the duo then copied. The Werkself players left to happy faces all round.

Just in time for its 30th anniversary, the Lions Club is getting a new patron: Bayer 04 goalkeeper Mark Flekken is taking over the role from Lukas Hradecky, who showed great commitment and passion for the youngest Werkself fans in recent years. The Dutchman, who is himself the father of a daughter, will accompany Lions Club events and activities and be a role model for the children with his warm and positive manner.
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It's time for another Members' Matchday! Bayer 04's Bundesliga home game against 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 on Saturday 8 November (kick-off 15:30 CET) will see lots on offer for Werkself fans of all ages on the areas around the BayArena. Members also benefit from exclusive discounts until Sunday. More information on that, and the clash with FCH, in the Matchday News.
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1. FC Heidenheim 1846 are currently bottom of the table in their third season in the Bundesliga. However, after a poor start, the underdogs from Baden-Württemberg have recently shown an upturn in form. This Saturday, 8 November (kick-off: 15:30 CET), FCH will once again be looking perform as a cohesive, combative unit at the BayArena. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Before heading into the final international break of the year, the Werkself entertain 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 at home in the Bundesliga on Saturday, 8 November (kick-off: 15:30 CET). Ahead of the encounter on Bundesliga matchday 10, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about anticipation ahead of the game in front of a home crowd after three away fixtures in a row. He also talked about player availability.
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The fixture details for the Round of 16 ties in the 2025/26 DFB Pokal have been finalised. Accordingly, Bayer 04's away match at Borussia Dortmund will be played on Tuesday, 2 December, at 21:00 CET. This was announced by the German Football Association (DFB) today (Thursday).
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