Good record against, and at, Schalke
Bayer 04 have clocked up 30 Bundesliga wins against FC Schalke 04 and have only enjoyed more success against VfB Stuttgart (33). The Werkself have won the last three matches at Schalke. The last time Bayer 04 secured four consecutive away wins against an opponent it was in Sinsheim at TSG Hoffenheim (2012 to 2014).
Almost always one goal per game
Leverkusen have found the back of the net in all of the last seven games against Schalke. It was just one goal in six of those seven matches with the Werkself scoring more once in a 3-2 victory in April 2016. Bayer 04 fought back after being two goals down after 29 minutes with goals from Julian Brandt, Karim Bellarabi and Chicharito securing the win .
'Kies' likes royal blue
Stefan Kießling has scored eight goals against Schalke in the Bundesliga, more than the rest of the Bayer 04 squad put together (Bellarabi three, Volland two, Baumgartlinger and Brandt one each). Kies netted home and away against Schalke last term, with half of his four goals in the season coming against the Royal Blues.
High time on the road
Bayer 04 are one of three teams (in addition to Mainz and Stuttgart) still without a point away from home this term. Heiko Herrlich's team have let in eight of the ten goals conceded on the road. In their three away games the Werkself have allowed the opposition nine clear goalscoring opportunities – compared with just two in the three home games.
Alario in select group
In his debut on Bundesliga matchday six, Lucas Alario scored once and provided one assist. Five players have managed that since detailed records were kept in 2004: Diego, Demba Ba, Juan Arango, Douglas Costa and now Alario.
Unbeaten in twelve
Before losing 3-0 to FC Bayern on matchday five at the Veltins Arena, Schalke were undefeated in twelve home games in succession (six wins, six draws).
Brace for Kevin
Kevin Volland was in good form against HSV scoring twice as he did in the 4-0 home victory over SC Freiburg. This is the first time in his Bundesliga career he scored a brace in two successive home games. Volland has scored four goals in eight days before: In September/October 2015 he bagged two braces for Hoffenheim in successive games (at Augsburg and at home to Stuttgart).
On opposite sides in youth games
Domenico Tedesco and Heiko Herrlich have already faced each other as coaches in 2013/14 and 2014/15 in the South/South-West section of the U17 Bundesliga. Tedesco was a youth coach at VfB Stuttgart and Herrlich in the same role at FC Bayern. 24 goals were scored in the four games – an above-average return for the U17 Bundesliga of six goals per game.
Front row at the Schwadbud
For many Bayer 04 fans, who do not travel with the Werkself, it is an established practice to watch away games in the Schwadbud to get behind the lads in the company of fellow fans. It is possible that it might be busier in the fan pub tonight: It will be the first time a Bayer 04 match has not been on Sky but instead only available on Eurosport Player, which very few homes or bars have access to. So it could well be worth getting there early: The Schwadbud opens its doors one hour before kick-off at 19.30 CET.
In mid-August, the Werkself will set off on a four-day trip to England to play their final two friendly matches of the 2026/27 pre-season against Premier League clubs Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United. The match in Nottingham against the Tricky Trees is on Wednesday 12 August at 20:45 CEST (19:45 BST) at the City Ground. The game against the Magpies in Newcastle is on Saturday 15 August at 16:00 CEST (15:00 BST) at the atmospheric St James’ Park. Details on ticket sales for both matches.
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Black and Red talent development at the highest level – even off the pitch: Apprentices Jule Suermann, Leandra Bellia and Julia Niederheide have successfully completed their two- or three-year apprenticeships at the club. Bayer 04 honoured the trio at the BayArena on Tuesday.
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Rieden reloaded: Just like last year, the Bayer 04 Women’s team are spending their summer training camp in this idyllic corner of Bavaria. From this Sunday, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team will be based in Rieden in the Upper Palatinate for a week.
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Following the summer break, most of the players are back in Leverkusen. While two Bayer 04 first-team players are still in action at the World Cup, the players present officially kicked off the new season with fitness assessments. At the Werkstatt, the Bayer 04 rehabilitation and training centre, Robert Andrich, Edmond Tapsoba and the rest of the squad worked up quite a sweat in the sweltering summer heat. New signings Afonso Moreira and Kennet Eichhorn also successfully completed the day’s sessions alongside their new team-mates.
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The Werkself return tomorrow, Tuesday 14 July (from 11:00 CEST at the BayArena; live stream on bayer04.de, the Bayer 04 app and YouTube), with new head coach Carles Martínez leading his first training session as part of the Bayer 04 set-up. His coaching team comprises a mix of new and long-standing colleagues.
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