The fourth-placed visitors are still considered by many pundits to be the surprise package of the Bundesliga but the Werkself coach Peter Bosz sees more than that in the next opponents. “If a team is at the top of the league after eleven games and you see the great results they’ve got against top clubs then it’s not really a surprise any more,” said the 56-year-old, who celebrated his birthday yesterday, at the pre-match press conference. Christian Streich’s team have picked up an impressive 21 points to date and are level on points with second-placed RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich in third. “Freiburg are getting a lot of things right: They play well as a team and their transitions are quick,” added Bosz.
One reason for the success is definitely the SCF coach Streich who has been at the helm for eight years. The achievements of the 54-year-old include taking the club straight back up to the top flight in 2015/16 after being relegated the previous season. “The fact he’s been the coach for so long shows he’s getting a lot right – hats off to him!“, said Bosz in praising his opposite number.
The Black and Reds are looking for a win against SCF to extend the run from before the international break of three wins in four games. “We’ve got some important games coming up. After that, we’ll be able to see where we are up to in Europe and in the Bundesliga,” said the Dutchman. “These matches will show where we’re headed for the rest of the season.”
Leverkusen have found it difficult to get going again immediately after breaks this season – and have not earned any decent results up to now. Asked about the run of two defeats after international breaks this term (0-4 at Dortmund and 0-3 at Frankfurt), the Dutchman explained: “I don’t normally worry about things like that – but it is something in the back of my mind.” It’s always difficult if the players only come back just before games.
Bosz was very happy that his midfield dynamo Charles Aránguiz has returned fit and raring to go. The reason: The planned friendly for Chile in Lima was called off due to unrest in Peru. “He returned to training earlier than expected today,” said the Bayer 04 coach who faces Freiburg without Kai Havertz, Daley Sinkgraven and Joel Pohjanpalo (all injured) plus the suspended Leon Bailey.
Despite a major personnel shake-up in the summer, RB Leipzig have performed impressively this term. Ahead of matchday 15, coach Ole Werner's team are second in the Bundesliga with a three-point lead over their upcoming opponents Bayer 04. This Saturday, 20 December (kick-off: 18:30 CET), the Werkself are away to RBL who are strong at home. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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This year - for the third time - the parents of the Bayer 04 youth players from the U8 to U15 age groups once again took part in the WDR Christmas Miracle. Under the motto "Goals against hunger in the world - parents in goal!", they organised their own fundraising campaign to once again actively support the important WDR campaign. The sum of €3,420 was handed over at the Glashaus in Essen in the middle of the week during the live programme.
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On Tuesday evening, Bayer 04's main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer and its employees welcomed some very special visitors to the company's Christmas market at its headquarters in Wuppertal: Werkself players Robert Andrich, Mark Flekken, Loïc Badé, Jarell Quansah and Malik Tillman spent lots of time with Bayer 04 fans of all ages in the early evening – and also helped to serve drinks such as Glühwein (mulled wine) and delicious food.
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The Leverkusen eSports players picked up just one point on Tuesday 16 December in the remaining three matches of the online preliminary round of Showdown Three in the VBL Club Championship 2025/26. As a result, the #B04eSports team once again miss out on going through to the offline knockout phase and now head into the winter break.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen has always stood for ambition, development, and progress. In recent years, these values have been reflected not only on the pitch, but beyond it. The Werkself continues to grow — regionally, nationally, and now more than ever internationally — and the recent visit from a delegation of our newest international fan club, Bayer4Arab, is a powerful example of this journey.
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