The DFB have appointed Dr. Felix Brych as the referee for the game at the Volkswagen Arena. The 46-year-old has previously taken charge of 40 Bayer 04 matches, with 23 ending in victory for Leverkusen (D5, L12). Brych has handed out 58 yellow cards and three reds in those games.
His assistants are Mark Borsch and Stefan Lupp. Frank Willenborg is the VAR.
The Werkself are unbeaten in their last five Bundesliga visits to Wolfsburg, earning 13 of a possible 15 points. That’s the same amount as in the first 19 games combined. VfB Stuttgart are the only other current Bundesliga club against whom Bayer 04 have picked up so many points from their last five away meetings.
Today’s game sees Wolfsburg begin a donation campaign to help those who have had to flee from Ukraine. Both home and away fans at the Volkswagen Arena are able to donate the deposit from their cups to a good cause. The donations will go to the German Red Cross in Wolfsburg. There are 32 collection points around the stadium where you can donate.
Nickelodeon have been holding the Kids’ Choice Awards for a number of years, but this time Florian Wirtz is one of the nominees for the Favourite Footballer category. You can cast your vote on the German Nickelodeon homepage by 6 April. Bayern Munich’s Thomas Müller won the award in 2019, following on from former Leverkusen midfielder Toni Kroos. Click HERE to vote!
Carsten Ramelow joined Bayer 04 from Hertha Berlin in January 1996. The 21-year-old midfielder probably didn’t know at the time that it would be the last move of his career. Calle found a home with the Werkself, making 437 competitive appearances before retiring in 2008. He was even named one of the club’s honorary captains. Ramelow turns 48 today, so happy birthday!
Today sees Bayer 04 go head-to-head with their next direct rivals in the race for Champions League qualification (kick-off 15:30 CEST). Opponents Stuttgart are currently fifth in the table, level on points with the Werkself but one place below them due to a three-goal inferior goal difference. The Black and Reds' record at Bad Cannstatt tells a clearer story: they've not lost at VfB for over 16 years. One important factor in securing what would be three crucial points away from home is Leverkusen's strength on the counter-attack. Whilst Stuttgart are also extremely dangerous going forward, they will be without their captain. Today’s matchday news.
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Another showdown in the race for the Champions League places takes place in Swabia: on Saturday 9 May (kick-off 15:30 CEST), the Werkself visit VfB Stuttgart, who are only behind on goal difference. In his pre-match press conference, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about confidence, excitement and mentality.
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Reinforcement in attack: Bayer 04 Leverkusen have secured the transfer of striker Maja Sternad from Bundesliga rivals SV Werder Bremen. The 22-year-old has signed a contract until 30 June 2028.
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It's a thrilling situation: as the season draws to a close, Stuttgart and Bayer 04 are heading into the home stretch almost neck and neck. After 32 games, with 17 wins, seven draws and eight defeats each, both teams are on 58 points. Even in terms of goals scored, VfB and the Werkself are level on 66. The Black and Reds have conceded just three fewer goals (43) than their rivals (46), which is why they sit one place behind fourth-placed Leverkusen. This Saturday, 9 May (kick-off: 15.30 CEST), the two teams go head to head at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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