
Germany's second group match in the World Cup against Spain kicks off at 20.0 CET on Sunday with the live broadcast from the ZDF World Cup studio in Mainz starting one hour before kick-off. Fernando Carro will join presenter Jochen Breyer and the two 2014 World Cup winners Per Mertesacker and Christoph Kramer before and after the game as well as during the half-time break as a pundit.
To mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, significant buildings and landmarks all over the world will be lit up in orange today 25 November as part of the Orange your City campaign. Bayer 04 is also joining in with this campaign and the BayArena will be illuminated orange this evening to make a statement against sexualised violence, its causes and its effects.

Bayer 04 head coach Xabi Alonso today celebrates his 41st birthday. The former midfield maestro won the Champions League as a player with Liverpool in 2005 and Real Madrid in 2014. In addition, the Spaniard crowned his playing career by winning the 2008 and 2012 European Championships as well as the World Cup in 2010. Alonso has been in the Werkself dugout since the start of October having previously worked in the youth section at Real Madrid and also as the second team assistant coach at Real Sociedad. Many happy returns, coach!

After a run of seven games unbeaten in all competitions, the Werkself suffered a 1-0 defeat at FC Union Berlin despite their best efforts. Captain Robert Andrich, who took responsibility for the goal, said after the match: "Now we have to focus on not losing our heads even in difficult situations. That has always made us strong in the past." The Werkself review.
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Bayer 04 were beaten 1-0 away at Union Berlin on Matchday 23 in the Bundesliga. Kasper Hjulmand’s side struggled to create clear chances, while the hosts struck the only goal of the game through Rani Khedira in the 28th minute.
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Sandwiched between their UEFA Champions League knockout play-off tie against Olympiacos, Bayer 04 return to Bundesliga action on Saturday with a trip to Union Berlin (kick-off: 15:30 CET). It’s a fixture of contrasting styles, with Leverkusen preferring to control the play while Union look to remain compact and counter. The Berliners are therefore suited to facing top teams, but they have only ever managed to win one of 16 meetings with the Werkself, who are looking for a fifth clean sheet of 2026 but will need to beware the home side’s threat from set pieces. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
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After six wins in seven games, the Werkself will be looking to continue their winning run in the capital at FC Union Berlin. Coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke ahead of the match on Saturday, 21 February (kick-off: 15:30 CET) about defenders, the short preparation time and the condition of the pitch at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
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