Sven Hübscher took over as the U19 coach at the start of January. The 42-year-old was previously at Schalke and third division Preußen Münster before he joined Bayer 04 as successor to the duo of Markus von Ahlen/Patrick Weiser. As the U19 Bundesliga West has been suspended since the middle of October due to the coronavirus pandemic, Hübscher has only been able to work with his new team on the training ground and in friendly fixtures.
This weekend’s game for the U19s is not a competitive encounter but it should still be a good challenge. Borussia Dortmund were top of the West Section on maximum points. Four league matchdays were played in September and October last year before the suspension due to the pandemic. The BVB youngsters won all four of their games. The Leverkusen U19s picked up six out of a possible twelve points – under the predecessors to Hübscher.
Bayer 04 will broadcast the youth game on the club YouTube channel. Niko Hartmann, one of the commentators on Werks11 Radio, will cover the match from 10.55 CEST. During the half-time break, the commentator will interview Thomas Eichin, the head of the Bayer 04 Performance Centre.
Click HERE for the Bayer 04 YouTube channel.
Sandwiched between their UEFA Champions League knockout play-off tie against Olympiacos, Bayer 04 return to Bundesliga action on Saturday with a trip to Union Berlin (kick-off: 15:30 CET). It’s a fixture of contrasting styles, with Leverkusen preferring to control the play while Union look to remain compact and counter. The Berliners are therefore suited to facing top teams, but they have only ever managed to win one of 16 meetings with the Werkself, who are looking for a fifth clean sheet of 2026 but will need to beware the home side’s threat from set pieces. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
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After six wins in seven games, the Werkself will be looking to continue their winning run in the capital at FC Union Berlin. Coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke ahead of the match on Saturday, 21 February (kick-off: 15:30 CET) about defenders, the short preparation time and the condition of the pitch at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
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Union Berlin have performed particularly well against the top clubs in the Bundesliga this season with a draw at home to Bayern Munich and wins against VfB Stuttgart and RB Leipzig. This Saturday, 21 February (kick-off: 15:30 CET), the Irons now welcome the Werkself, currently sixth in the table, to the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. And the hosts are in desperate need of a win. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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It took exactly 60 minutes for the Werkself to take the lead through a perfectly finished counter-attack by Patrik Schick in the first leg of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League play-off at Olympiacos. Referring to the meeting in the league phase and the initially squandered opportunities, coach Kasper Hjulmand said afterwards: "I thought: 'Oh no, déjà-vu.'" But after the opening goal, it took just 144 seconds for the Czech to spark more wild celebrations among those in black and red in the Greek cauldron, when Schick nodded in Alejandro Grimaldo's corner. Much to the delight of the Bayer 04 fans, his teammates and his coach, who had warm words for the striker in the aftermath. The Werkself Review.
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