Union Saint-Gilloise are playing in a European competition again for the first time in 58 years. The Belgian club played in the Fairs Cup (predecessor to the UEFA Cup) five times from the 1950s to the the middle of the 1960s. USG have proved to be very successful on their return to the European stage: The 1-0 defeat against Union Berlin in the group stage is their only loss in the Europa League this term. The overall tally: 5 wins, 2 draws, 1 defeat.
The Werkself have experience in coming out on top against Belgian teams: Bayer 04 have only lost once in seven matches against Belgian clubs with three wins and three draws in the other games. Leverkusen did not concede a single goal in the three home fixtures.
Following four wins in succession, USG had to settle for one point in the Jupiler Pro League at the weekend. The team under coach Karel Geraerts earned a 1-1 draw in the big match against fourth-placed Gent and remain second behind league leaders Genk. Union Saint-Gilloise have already qualified again for the championship play-offs between the top four clubs with 69 points from 32 games. The Yellow and Blues could take top spot in the remaining two league fixtures as they are only two points adrift from Genk. USG had a sensational season as a newly promoted club last term and they only lost to Club Brugge in the play-offs. You can find out more about the personnel, performers and problems for the Belgian club in our lowdown on the next opponents.
Bayer 04 requests everybody to arrive at the BayArena in good time to allow fans to get to their seats in time for kick-off and to avoid long queues at the turnstiles.
In addition, Nordkurve12, the independent umbrella organisation of Bayer 04 fans, has called for supporters to meet the team bus. From 19.00 CEST, all Bayer 04 fans are asked to be on Bismarckstraße to show vocal support for the Werkself.
Anyone wanting to read key facts about the match against USG before the game should take a look at the new Werkself LIVE. The matchday magazine is available at the BayArena and the digital version is also available free of charge online. This includes a Kerem Demirbay poster. HERE is the e-paper.
UEFA has appointed Ivan Kruzliak as the referee for today’s quarter-final first leg. Foe the 39-year-old Slovak, who has already been in charge of three Champions League games this season, it will be the first fixture involving the Werkself. His assistant referees are his fellow countrymen Branislav Hancko and Jan Pozor, Paolo Valeri is the VAR official.
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 and main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer have shown great commitment to the community as the sale of custom-designed T-shirts for charity in the Fanwelt as part of the “BarmeniaGothaer Brings Joy campaign raised a good €5,000. Bayer 04 matched this sum with an equal contribution. As a result, a total of €10,000 was presented to Edmond Tapsoba for his foundation ahead of the home match against Hamburg. The foundation supports people facing challenging daily circumstances in his home country of Burkina Faso.
Show more
Bayer 04 host Hamburg at the BayArena for the first time since September 2017 on the final day of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season on Saturday (15:30 CEST). HSV are safe in their first campaign back in the top flight after back-to-back wins, but Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last 19 games against promoted teams as they go for the victory they need to have a chance to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. There’s also heavy discounts on food and drinks at the BayArena. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the Matchday 34 fixture in our matchday news.
Show more
As well as previously confirmed departures, Bayer 04 Women will also say goodbye to Vanessa Haim and Shen Menglu before Sunday’s final game of the season at home to Werder Bremen as the pair leave Leverkusen upon the expiration of their contracts.
Show more
The last competitive match of the 2025/26 season takes place at the BayArena on Saturday 16 May (kick-off 15:30 CEST), where Hamburger SV are the visitors. At the pre-match press conference, head coach Kasper Hjulmand discussed the mindset and the approach for the crucial final game against HSV, among other topics.
Show more
