This game sees two teams in contrasting form face off. While the Werkself have won nine of their 10 Bundesliga games so far this season, Union have lost each of the last eight. The head-to-head record is also in favour of Leverkusen, having lost only one of 11 previous competitive encounters (six wins, four draws).
Bayer 04 are calling for food donations for the Leverkusener Tafel. We therefore ask our fans to get involved and contribute food. Prior to kick-off, the club will be accepting donations at the collection points in the East (B1/B2) and North-West (entrance area near the Stelzen motorway) areas of the stadium from 13:30. You can find more information and a detailed list of the food required HERE. If you have any further questions, you can contact us by e-mail (soziales@bayer04.de) or by phone ((+49) 0214 8660 273).
Due to construction work, the RE7 and RE48 lines are currently not running at Leverkusen Opladen station. There will be a rail replacement service for fans travelling via this station.
The Berlin club are currently 16th in the Bundesliga table with six points from 10 games. The Köpenickers have managed just one solidary draw from their last 13 competitive fixtures, also losing their last eight in a row in the league. It is Union’s worst start to a Bundesliga season since first reaching this level in 2019. During the week they claimed a surprise 1-1 draw away at Napoli in the UEFA Champions League. An end to their 12-game losing run will have given the team confidence to turn around their form. You can find out more about our opponents in lowdown.
In co-operation with RWTH Aachen University, Bayer 04 will conduct a survey on fan travel today. The survey is aimed at all stadium visitors and will take place on site at the BayArena as well as digitally via an online questionnaire. Traffic counts will also be carried out at various junctions. Participation in the survey would be of great importance for optimising climate-friendly mobility. Further information can be found HERE.
The second district matchday of the season will also take place today against Union. Over the past few days and weeks, everyone in Quettingen has been able to enjoy activities organised by and with the Werkself. The highlight was the penalty shootout tournament between Opladen and Quettingen, which was also attended by club representative Stefan Kießling, Bayer 04 men’s player Ayman Aourir and women’s player Sofia Cava Marin. All information about the district match days can be found HERE.
Anyone wanting to read key information before the game should take a look at the new Werkself Live. The matchday programme, offering the most important facts and stats on the game in compact form, is available at the BayArena. Alternatively it is available free online. Click HERE for the e-paper.
The German FA (DFB) has appointed Timo Gerach as today’s referee. The 36-year-old has previously overseen one competitive fixture involving Leverkusen, which was the 2-0 win at home to Bochum last season. Gerach’s assistants are Florian Heft and Dominik Schaal. The VAR is Bastian Dankert.
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 Niko Hartmann and Cedric Pick. 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 update service are available at bayer04.de and on the Bayer 04 app.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have loaned U19 midfielder Jeremiah Mensah to Dutch second-tier side Roda JC Kerkrade for one year. The 18-year-old Germany youth international has a long-term contract at the club to 2031.
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Bayer 04 kick off the final phase of their 2026/27 pre-season preparations with a friendly against Premier League club Nottingham Forest. Head coach Carles Martínez’s team will take to the pitch at the City Ground today, Wednesday 12 August (kick-off: 8.45 pm/7.45 pm local time). Werkself-TV will broadcast the match live and in full exclusively for Bayer 04 members via livestream from 8.35 pm...
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed Argentina international Facundo Medina. The defender, who can play both at left-back and in a more central position in the back line, has signed a contract with Bayer 04 to 30 June 2031. The 1.84-metre-tall World Cup runner-up, who will wear the number 2 shirt, joins the club from French top-flight side Olympique de Marseille.
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Villa Fiorito, River Plate, Ligue 1, the World Cup final and now Bayer 04: Facundo Medina’s life story so far has been shaped by special places, clubs, matches and names. One of them is Diego Maradona, who, like Medina, hailed from the south of Buenos Aires. Another is Exequiel Palacios, his former team-mate at River Plate, who was raving about Bayer 04 to him as recently as the World Cup in North America. Medina has now taken the plunge into the Bundesliga and, as an Argentine World Cup runner-up, has joined Bayer 04 from Olympique de Marseille this week. It is set to be the next successful chapter in his career. Leverkusen’s new number 2 brings with him a South American mentality and passion, a wealth of experience from many years in Ligue 1, and a fascinating story to the Rhineland – and to a club where the 1.84-metre-tall left-footed player will be reunited with Palacios and several other familiar faces.
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Shortly after signing his contract with Bayer 04, new signing Facundo Medina spoke to Werkself.tv about his first impressions of the club, his expectations and his conversations with his Argentine compatriot Exequiel Palacios. The defender also reveals what the fans can look forward to. Welcome to Leverkusen, Facu!
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