The Werkself are unbeaten in six Bundesliga visits to Wolfsburg and have picked up 16 out of a possible 18 points. In addition, the Wolves are waiting for a win for the first time after five games at home (three draws, two defeats) – the last time that happened to VfL was from March to October in 2020 (back then seven games). Moreover, the Wolves have been behind for 447 minutes at home this season That is only beaten on this matchday by bottom-of-the-table Schalke 04 (488).
The German Football Association (DFB) has appointed Sascha Stegemann as the match official for the game at the Volkswagen Arena. The 38-year-old has been in charge of four games involving the Werkself to date – all in the Bundesliga (one win, three defeats). His assistant referees today are Christof Günsch and Frederick Assmuth with Felix Zwayer in action as the VAR official.
Last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Borussia Mönchengladbach was the first reverse for VfL Wolfsburg after five games without defeat. The Wolves could have got a result against the Foals. The visitors were on top in the first half. "We dominated Gladbach and then we made some daft mistakes that cost us the first goal," said coach Niko Kovac annoyed at the first goal conceded that came from a misplaced pass by goalkeeper Koen Casteels. You can find out more about the personnel, performers and problems for VfL Wolfsburg in our lowdown of 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.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have appointed Carles Martínez Novell as the new head coach. The 42-year-old Spaniard worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. Martínez finished last term in ninth place with the club from the south of France. He will take over the Werkself on 1 July 2026 and has signed a contract to 30 June 2028. Martínez, whose contract with Toulouse expires at the end of the month, succeeds Kasper Hjulmand at Leverkusen, who is leaving the club after one season.
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Welcome to Leverkusen, Carles Martínez Novell. Bayer 04 have appointed the 42-year-old Spaniard as the new head coach on a contract to 2028. Martínez most recently worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. He previously spent four years at Barcelona's legendary academy La Masia in his home city. Bayer04.de introduces Martínez in more detail.
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Bayer 04 plans for the 2026/27 pre-season continue to take shape. The Werkself will kick off the new season in mid-July with the return to the training ground. The highlight will be the official season opener on 8 August at the BayArena, including a friendly against La Liga club Sevilla. Friendlies in Germany will take the team to neighbouring Monheim, Offenbach and Jena.
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Strengthening the Bayer 04 Leverkusen youth teams: Konstantinos Kotsifakis will join the Werkself from Bundesliga 2 club Hertha Berlin for the 2026/27 season, where he will be a permanent member of the Leverkusen U19 coaching set-up. The German-Greek will also take on an operational role in coaching the Bayer 04 Future Team. The 29-year-old was most recently head coach of the U17s at Hertha Berlin.
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Another award for the Bayer 04 head groundsman and staff: After coming top in the 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2024/25 seasons, the BayArena pitch came second in the Bundesliga Pitch of the Year ranking for the 2025/26 season. VfL Wolfsburg secured the top spot this year, with TSG Hoffenheim in third place.
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