With team-mate Wendell looking on, the Werkself number 20 went the full distance in midfield against Ecuador in the second group match in Salvador and once again he came up with the goods as in the first group match against Japan (4-0): The 30-year-old took the corner for the opening goal from José Fuenzalida (CSD Colo-Colo) and he laid on the winner at 2-1 for Alexis Sánches (Manchester United) with a cross from the right. The victory sees Chile hold on to top spot in Group C and they are through to the quarter-finals ahead of the last group match against Uruguay early on Tuesday (25 June, 01.00 CET).
Leon Bailey and his Jamaican team-mates also remain unbeaten at the Gold Cup (15 June to 7 July in the USA, Costa Rica and Jamaica) – the Reggae Boyz could only manage a goalless draw against second-placed El Salvador but they remain top of Group C ahead of their final group match thanks to a better goal difference. In an evenly balanced encounter, with Jamaica having the better chances, Bailey played the full 90 minutes on the right wing. The 0-0 draw gives Jamaica the chance to go through to the quarter-finals of the competition in the game against the one-points worse off Curaçao in third place on Wednesday (26 June, 02.00 CET).
The Bayer 04 youth player Marc Lamti starts the Africa Cup (21 June to 19 July) on Monday (19.00 CET) with the competition held in Egypt this year. The Eagles of Carthage play 2006 World Cup participants Angola in the first match in Group E.
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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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