Berlin, Berlin, we're flying to Berlin
After the final pre-match training session on Friday afternoon, the Werkself flew to Berlin for the final match of the season. Absentees were Lars Bender, Hakan Calhanoglu, Kevin Volland, Roberto Hilbert, Ömer Toprak, Kevin Kampl and Karim Bellarabi who misses out due to a pulled stomach muscle.
It's the same procedure as usual on the final matchday including a communal walk ahead of the game. The team and staff will return home on Saturday night. As there is no training on Sunday it is the last obligatory commitment for the team.
Current state of play
The 'Old Lady' has only collected less points against Bayern Munich on average (0.69) than against Leverkusen (0.93) based on a minimum of three games played. However, Hertha will finish above Bayer 04 for the first time since the 2008/09 season. A victory would see the Berlin side retain fifth spot – that would be the best finish since 2008/09 (fourth).
Europe is in Hertha's sights: The Berliners could slip down as far as seventh place but that would still qualify them for the Europa League if Borussia Dortmund beat Eintracht Frankfurt in the DFB Cup final. One thing is certain regardless of other results: One point would be enough for Hertha to finish in at least six position. Bayer 04 can finish no higher than eleventh
More over: Over two seasons, Hertha have been in the top six 461 of the last 62 match days - the only time that was not the case was on matchday 34 of last season when they were seventh. A 0-0 draw at Mainz saw Hertha miss out on direct Europa League qualification. A bitter blow.
#FinallyRED - Everyone in RED
The Werkself are joining in with their red strip. And the fans too: The campaign #finallyRED calls for the away end to be in red on Saturday with all Werkself fans showing their true colours in Berlin.
‘Donate beakers – save lives'
Spectators at the stadium on Saturday can donate their deposit beakers and JustPay payment cards for the battle against cancer. All the money raised will be donated to the ‘KINDerLEBEN’ Association supporting the children's cancer hospital in Berlin.
Bayer 04 fans in the away end will also be able to set up containers to collect the beakers or donate cash to the collections. Join in support for the donation campaign on Saturday by putting your beakers in the appropriate donation container in the away end.
The Nerazzurri are in town: Today, Tuesday 10 December, Bayer 04 entertain the reigning champions of Italy Inter Milan on Matchday 6 in the UEFA Champions League (kick-off: 21.00 CET/live on DAZN and on Werkself Radio). Read on for the latest information on the home game at the BayArena.
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The Bayer 04 U19 team lost 1-0 to Inter Milan on the sixth and final matchday in the league phase of the UEFA Youth League 2024/25. The only goal of the game was scored just after the hour mark. While the side from North Italy have finished top in the league phase with a maximum points return, the Leverkusen team appeared to have just missed out on the knockout stages of the European competition. There is faint hope looking to several games to follow where results are needed to go the way of the Werkself.
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Italian teams are known for being strong in defence. The fact that Inter Milan, the next opponents for the Werkself in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, 10 December (kick-off: 20.45 CET), have not conceded a single goal in their last five matches is impressive. Will the visitors' keeper Yann Sommer be able to keep a clean sheet at the BayArena against Florian Wirtz and Co.? The lowdown on our next opponents.
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The Werkself are away to Borussia Dortmund on Bundesliga Matchday 16. The game at the Signal Iduna Park on Friday, 10 January 2025, kicks off at 20.30 CET. Read on for information on ticket sales.
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