
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.

The penultimate Bundesliga matchday of the calendar year marks the end of an eventful first half of the season for the Bayer 04 Women. After seven wins, one draw and four defeats from the first twelve games of the season, coach Roberto Pätzold's team can go above Werder Bremen in the table with a win on Friday, 12 December (kick-off: 18:30 CET).
Show more
The third showdown in the VBL Club Championship 2025/26 kicks off for the Leverkusen eSports team this Thursday, 11 December (live on the B04eSports Twitch channel from 19:00 CET). In the online preliminary round, the Black and Red will once again take on six previously drawn opponents for a place in the Top 16 and the associated entry into the offline knockout round, which will take place at this third showdown on 19 December in Cologne. Showdown One winners Bayer 04 will face FC St. Pauli, who won the second showdown last month, among others. The lowdown on first three opponents in this online preliminary round.
Show more
The exact dates for the quarter-finals of the 2025/26 DFB Pokal have been finalised. Accordingly, Bayer 04's home tie against Bundesliga rivals FC St. Pauli will be played on Tuesday, 3 February 2026, with the kick-off at 20:45 CET. This was announced by the German Football Association (DFB) today (Thursday).
Show more
After a strong first half, the Werkself conceded twice against Newcastle United in the UEFA Champions League but fought back and " deservedly earned the draw at the end", as captain Robert Andrich aptly put it. Despite opportunities for further Bayer 04 goals, the positive feeling about the irrepressible commitment the final minutes predominated. The Werkself review.
Show more
Alejandro Grimaldo, of course! With his late equaliser (88') in the Champions League clash against Newcastle United, the Spaniard rescued a point for the Werkself, who took the lead through an own goal by Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes (13') but went with two goals for the visitors scored by Anthony Gordon (51') and Lewis Miley (74'). It was the third draw for Bayer 04 in the current 2025/26 campaign on matchday 6 in the UCL league phase.
Show more