The referee for today's match is Benjamin Brand. The 27-year-old management executive will be assisted by Robert Schröder and Christian Leicher. Marcus Schüller is the fourth official.
Good omen? – The next run?
After the 3-1 win at Augsburg: Two years ago a 2-2 draw at FCA was followed by a run of seven Bundesliga wins in succession the Bayer 04 and last year 3-3 draw at Augsburg was also followed by seven Bundesliga victories on the bounce. Let's hope that happens again.
On song against Mainz
Bayer 04 have won three of the last four matches against Mainz with this season's previous fixture ending in a 3-2 win at Mainz. However, Leverkusen have never won both games in a season against FSV. With 37 goals conceded (the same as Hamburg SV) Mainz have the third weakest defence in the league behind Bremen (42) and Darmstadt (41). Only once have they conceded as many goals at the same point in the season as now (2004/05, finished in 11th position).
Mainz weak on the road
FSV Mainz have lost the last six away games in the top flight – the team from Rhineland Hessen have only experienced a similar bad run in the Bundesliga in their first season in 2004/5 when they ended up losing eight away games in succession.
What an exciting previous game
The Werkself wanted the win and they got it. Bayer 04 showed great team spirit to come from behind twice and score the 3-2 winner in added time. Chicharito was the man of the match with a hat-trick for the Werkself. It's good to remember: It was the second minute of added time as Jonathan Tah chipped the ball into the box for Chicharito to head the ball past Jonas Lössl into the net.
Schwadbud is open
As usual, the popular fan pub the Schwadbud at the BayArena opens its doors two hours before kick-off, is closed during the game and reopens for ticket holders after the match. The #W11Fantalk will be broadcast live on the club website.
#W11Fantalk with Kevin Kampl
After the match at around 18.00 CET the Werkself player will again answer your questions at the popular #W11Fantalk - this time it's the turn of Kevin Kampl from Solingen to appear at the Schwadbud. You can put your questions to Kevin from now via Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #W11Fantalk.
The second international break of the 2025/26 season will begin after the Bundesliga match against Union Berlin (Saturday, 4 October, 15:30 CEST). The latest information on call-ups.
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Alejo Sarco and Argentina won their second group match at the U20 World Cup in Chile on Wednesday night. They beat Australia 4-1 with Sarco setting the tone early with a goal in the third minute. As in the first group game against Cuba, where Sarco scored twice, the 19-year-old was also named "Player of the Match" against Australia.
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Second game, second draw in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26: The Werkself were held to a 1-1 draw by Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven on matchday two in the league phase. After an early but brief setback in the form of an offside goal by Ivan Perisic for the visitors (5'), the Werkself took control and created numerous good chances in the first half. Leverkusen took a deserved lead after the break in the 65th minute through Christian Kofane. However, PSV's Ismael Saibari replied a few minutes later to level at 1-1 (72').
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In the second match in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26, the Werkself host PSV Eindhoven this Wednesday evening, 1 October (kick-off: 21:00 CEST/live on DAZN and on Werkself Radio). PSV have injury problems but are in confident mood after winning two consecutive league titles. PSV coach Peter Bosz and keeper Matej Kovar are two familiar faces who have fond memories of their Bayer 04 days. The latest information on the UCL match at the BayArena can be found in out matchday news.
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Bayer 04 beat PSV Eindhoven 3-2 on matchday two to clock up the next three points in the UCL Youth League 2025/26. In front of just under 500 spectators at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium, the visitors from the Netherlands led at half-time, but the Werkself turned the game round in the second 45. That makes it two wins on the bounce after the victory in Copenhagen.
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