News in brief ahead of #M05B04: Cortus refs – Can Diaby score again?
Final information on the Werkself away game at Mainz 05 plus the Bayer 04 U17s agree to be at home – the matchday news in brief.
The German Football Association (DFB) have appointed Benjamin Cortus as the referee for tonight's match at the MEWA Arena (kick-off: 20.30 CET). The 40-year-old has previously been in charge of eleven games involving the Werkself with nine in the Bundesliga and two in the DFB Cup – there have been eight wins, two draws and one defeat for Bayer 04. The Black and Reds have picked up 23 yellow cards and one red in those games.
The assistant referees are Florian Heft and Jan Neitzel-Petersen, and Tobias Welz is the VAR match official. Have a good game.
Fan info for #M05B04
500 Leverkusen supporters will be backing the Werkself at the MEWA Arena with a capacity of 10,000 set for tonight's game. The fan liaison team have put together information for all travelling Black and Red fans.
Werkself Radio and DAZN
Anybody unable to be at the game at Mainz, can follow the match on the Werkself Radio. The commentator duo of Cedric Pick and Niko Hartmann report live from the MEWA arena. The programme starts half an hour before kick-off with coverage on the new Bayer 04 app or at bayer04.de. The Friday match #M05B04 will also be broadcast live on the streaming service DAZN.
Positive records against Mainz
The Werkself are unbeaten in eight Bundesliga fixtures against Mainz 05 (seven wins) – of the current teams in the top-flight, the Black and Reds only have a longer unbeaten run against FC Augsburg (22 games). For their part, Mainz have not had such a long run without a win in the Bundesliga against a team other than Bayer 04. May that continue...
Diaby on target
Our number 19 is really performing in the second half of the Bundesliga season: Moussa Diaby has scored in each of the last three Bundesliga fixtures – with a total of five. No other player in Germany's top flight has scored more during that period. The France international has netted ten goals in the current Bundesliga campaign – already one more than in the whole of the 2020/21 season. Keep on going, Mousse.
U17s at home
At home instead of away: The Bayer 04 U17s are set to play their game against FC Hennef in the U17 Bundesliga West at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The two clubs agreed to swap the right to be at home as the ground in Hennef is out of action due to the storm. The kick-off at UHS is at noon CET on Saturday 19 February.
happy birthday
Today (Friday) is the birthday of Klaus Schulze, one of the Black and Red promotion heroes of 1979. The former midfielder, under the Bayer Cross from 1978 to 1980, celebrates his 68th birthday. Many happy returns, Klaus.
Related News
Werkself-TV - 25.10.2026
Women: TV-highlights of 0-2 loss at Nürnberg
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04 Women's 0-2 loss at 1. FC Nürnberg on Matchday 8 of the 2026/27 Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga.
Show more
Women - 25.10.2026
Setback in Nuremberg: Bayer 04 women suffer first away defeat
After nine points from their first three away matches of the 2026/27 season, the Bayer 04 Women suffered their first away defeat on Sunday afternoon. The 2-0 defeat away to FC Nürnberg, who were winless before today, represented a setback for coach Roberto Pätzold’s team in the race for the top spots in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga. Fany Pronietz scored both goals (62’, 85’) for the home side.
Show more
Bundesliga - 25.10.2026
Matchday news: Strong form and on a roll
The Werkself still have a score to settle with TSG Hoffenheim: Bayer 04 lost both matches against the Kraichgau side last term – after the Black and Reds had won all the previous five encounters. Leverkusen are currently on a roll and looking to kick off a new winning streak against TSG in Sinsheim on Sunday 25 October (kick-off: 15:30 CET), and Patrik Schick is keen to continue his current run of form. However, it will not be easy, as coach Christian Ilzer’s team have also gained confidence recently. Today’s matchday news.
Show more
Women - 24.10.2026
'Exert pressure as a chasing team': Women in action at Nürnberg
A look at the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga table ahead of the Werkself's clash at 1. FC Nürnberg leaves little discussion: Bayer 04 Women go into Sunday's meeting at the Max-Morlock-Stadion (16:00 CEST) as clear favourites. Coach Roberto Pätzold explains what's needed for the fourth-placed team against the second-from-bottom in order to make it four wins from four away matches this season.
Show more
Bayer 04 - 23.10.2026
Michelle Böhmke appointed director of the Talent House
Following the start of construction on the Talent House in mid-August, an important staffing decision has been made: Michelle Böhmke will join the project team on 1 January 2027 and take over as director when the centre opens, which is planned for summer 2027. The 36-year-old former SGS Essen player previously worked, amongst other roles, as educational director and academy school head at Hertha Berlin.
Show more
