The best defence of this calendar year play host to the second best: Union Berlin have only conceded 11 goals in 2023 and the Werkself just 15.
This clash brings together Jeremie Frimpong and Union’s Sheraldo Becker, the two players who have made the most sprints in the league this season. For the Leverkusen player it is 950 and the Irons striker has made 922.
2,500 Leverkusen fans are expected to make their way to the capital to support the Werkself in the game against the Irons at the An der Alten Försterei Stadium. Over the course of the 2022/23 season, Bayer 04 have been able to count on the backing of an average of 2,000 fans at their away games. The club is grateful for this fantastic support.
The German Football Association (DFB) has appointed Marco Fritz as the referee for the game at the An der Alten Försterei Stadium. The 45-year-old has been in charge of 21 games involving the Werkself to date (11 wins, three draws, seven defeats). His assistants today are Dominik Schaal and Marcel Pelgrim with Marcus Schmidt in action as the VAR official.
Last weekend, Union Berlin secured a deserved 1-0 win at Borussia Mönchengladbach and thereby extended their lead over fifth place to four points. The Irons are third in the table on 55 points. That is just two points less than the previous best return for the club in the Bundesliga from last season. They are on course to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in their history. You can find out more about the personnel, performers and problems for the Irons in our lowdown on the next opponents.
As usual, Werkself Radio is available for anybody unable to be at today's game. The audio broadcast begins 30 minutes before kick-off with commentary provided by Cedric Pick und Niko Hartmann. In addition, the live text update service will keep you up-to-date to ensure you don't miss any of the key match action. Both Werkself Radio and the live text updates can be found at bayer04.de and on the Bayer 04 app – tune in.
Today, Tuesday 16 December (live on B04eSports Twitch channel from 18:00 CET), the Leverkusen eSports players face the final three matches of the online preliminary round of Showdown Three in the VBL Club Championship 2025/26. In addition to 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 and SV 07 Elversberg, they will play Fortuna Düsseldorf, who are still unbeaten in this third showdown. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Whether it's the Lions Club, Teens, Bayer 04 Club or Silver Lions - there was a lot going on again this year in all age-specific members' clubs. We look back on an eventful year with numerous events and many exclusive moments with the Werkself. We take a look at what the year 2025 had to offer for the members of the Bayer 04 Club...
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Coaches, team-mates, fans, commentators, the media - they were all amazed when Martin Terrier unleashed his scorpion kick against 1. FC Köln at the BayArena and skilfully put the Werkself ahead after 66 minutes on Bundesliga matchday 14. The Frenchman chose the perfect moment to score what he described as the "best goal of my career". After all, it was his goal that paved the way for the derby victory. The Werkself review.
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Bayer 04 picked up three points in the last home game of the year with 2-0 win against 1. FC Köln on matchday 14. After a dominant first half with good chances, Martin Terrier, who came on as a substitute in the second half, produced a brilliant scorpion kick to make to 1-0 for the Werkself (66') before captain Robert Andrich rounded off the derby victory with a header six minutes later.
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