The most important thing from a sporting perspective first: Bayer 04 will again be in Europe in the 2021/22 season - in the Europa League. Following the point earned against the team from the capital and the defeat for Borussia Mönchengladbach (1-2 against Stuttgart), the Werkself are certain of finishing sixth.
The Frankfurter Rundschau headline reads: “Wirtz puts Leverkusen in the Europa League.” The words “shooting star” and “exceptional talent” follow. The opening goal by the striker on 27 minutes is described as follows: “It was also a matter of centimetres but the 18-year-old was just onside at the far post for Wendell’s shot. No other player has scored his sixth goal in the Bundesliga at a younger age.”
The Bild Zeitung also refers to the Wirtz, who recently agreed a contract extension to 2026 at Bayer 04. The headline of their report: “Wirtz now set for the Euros?” And further: “Jogi Löw names his Euros squad on Wednesday. The young international […] can reasonably hope.”
The Rheinische Post refers to the departure of Lars and Sven Bender: “There was a trip to the past before the kick-off in the last home game of the season. Lars and Sven Bender had a quiet send-off. Instead of tumultuous celebrations, chants, choreography and possible tears of emotion, there were a few kind words for the twin brothers, applause from the first team staff and a handshake from the club bosses. […] The pandemic forced the accolade for the two 32-year-olds onto the Internet. With countless comments and tweets, Bayer supporters paid tribute to the Benders’ lifetime achievements.”
In their category of “Moments of the match”, the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger reports as follows: “In his final home game as a professional footballer, Sven came on for two minutes. The 32-year-old, handicapped by a foot injury, was not able to clench his teeth but instead put the wellbeing of the team to the fore just before the end of his playing career as he took the decision on a longer appearance away from the coach Hannes Wolf in a pre-match conversation. Wolf left the question unanswered of whether Bender could start in his final game.”
The opponents on Saturday, 22 May (kick-off: 15.30 CEST) on the final matchday of the 2020/21 season are Borussia Dortmund – Sven Bender’s former club where he played for eight years before his move to Bayer 04.
After Jens Nowotny was officially named a Bayer 04 honorary captain last weekend, the long-standing Werkself player is part of the Leverkusen delegation on the trophy tour to New York City next week from 11 to 14 September. In an interview with bayer04.de, the 50-year-old talked about his expectations ahead of the trip to the metropolis on the East Coast of the USA.
Show moreThe German Football League (DFL) has confirmed the dates and kick-off times for matchdays 6 to 12 of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season. Full details of the Bayer 04 fixtures.
Show moreMarkus Rehm, a long jumper at TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen, won the gold medal for the fourth time in succession at the Paralympics on Wednesday.
Show moreThe fixture details for the second round of the DFB Pokal 2024/25 have been confirmed. The home tie for Bayer 04 against second division SV 07 Elversberg is on Tuesday, 29 October with the kick off at 18.00 CET (live on Sky). That was announced by the German Football Association (DFB) on Thursday.
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