The Werkself are on a run of five competitive meetings without defeat against Bayern for the first time ever (W3, D2). The last meeting saw Leverkusen claim a 1-0 victory in the last 16 of the DFB Pokal in Munich back in December. The last German club to enjoy a longer unbeaten streak against the Bavarians was Hamburg (six games between 2007 and 2009). In total, the Werkself have been victorious 20 times over Bayern in the Bundesliga, with 16 of those coming at the BayArena.
However, Bayern are enjoying a very good campaign, with their total of 54 points from 21 games the best they’ve had in nine years. They have also won their last seven league fixtures for their best run since February-September 2020 (14 wins).
There are a number of stats where Leverkusen and Bayern currently top the standings. They’re the two teams in the Bundesliga with the most goals scored, most shots taken, fewest shots faced, the best pass completion and the best success rate in duels. There are also several key head-to-heads, such as Harry Kane and Patrik Schick, who are currently the two top scorers among players still in the Bundesliga with 21 and 14 goals respectively (Omar Marmoush has 15 but left Eintracht Frankfurt in January). And then there’s the two top-scoring midfielders in Florian Wirtz (nine goals) and Jamal Musiala (10), while Wirtz is also the division’s top provider with nine assists.
“I think it’ll be a cool game. I’d definitely like to go and watch it as a fan,” said Bayern’s Joshua Kimmich ahead of this encounter at the BayArena. The Munich club arrive in Leverkusen in confident mood after their 2-1 win at Celtic in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off tie on Wednesday, while they are also eight points clear of the Werkself at the top of the Bundesliga. Things are looking good on the injury front as well, with coach Vincent Kompany having an almost fully fit squad at his disposal. You can read more about Bayern in our lowdown on our next opponents.
The German FA (DFB) have appointed Daniel Siebert as today’s referee. It’s the 40-year-old’s 27th Bundesliga game involving the Werkself (W10, D8, L8). His assistants are Jan Seidel and Rafael Foltyn. The VAR is Benjamin Cortus.
Black and Red talent development at the highest level – even off the pitch: Apprentices Jule Suermann, Leandra Bellia and Julia Niederheide have successfully completed their two- or three-year apprenticeships at the club. Bayer 04 honoured the trio at the BayArena on Tuesday.
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The Germany U19 team were beaten 2-0 by record champions Spain in the final of the U19 European Championship in Wales. Bayer 04 players Montrell Culbreath and Francis Onyeka (on loan at SV 07 Elversberg) were in the starting line-up and played the full 90 minutes.
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Bayer 04 Women have boosted their firepower with the signing of Poland international Paulina Tomasiak. The 24-year-old striker moves to Leverkusen from Gornik Leczna in her homeland on a two-year contract.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed France U17 international Kenan Doganay. The 1.90-metre-tall defensive midfielder, who has Turkish roots, joins Leverkusen from the U19s at French top-flight club Olympique Lyon. He will initially train with and play for the U19 team.
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