Bayer 04 and Heidenheim haven't faced each other very often in the past, with just three meetings between the two clubs in professional football. All of those have come in the last six years, with the Black-and-Reds doing the double in the league last season (4-1 at home, 2-1 away). Frank Schmidt's side came out on top in the last 16 of the DFB Cup in 2018/19, though, winning 2-1.
Talking of Schmidt, the 50-year-old is now in his 18th season as head coach of Heidenheim, making him by far the longest-serving boss in the Bundesliga. In fact, no coach in German professional football has ever been in charge of one club consecutively for longer than Schmidt. When he took over at FCH in September 2007, the club was in the Baden-Württemberg Oberliga, the fifth level of the pyramid. Via the Regionalliga South and then the third and second divisions, Heidenheim were promoted to the top flight for the first time in 2023 and qualified for European football in their debut season.
And they've more than proven they belong there too, with three wins from three matches putting them level on points with leaders Chelsea - their next opponents in the Conference League. However, it's not been going as well in the league lately. Having started with back-to-back victories, Heidenheim have won just one of their eight games since and taken just one point from the last five.
Strong physicality, high work rate and intensity without the ball define FCH's football. They're hard to hit on the counter having conceded just once after an opposition transition this season. Schmidt's men contest an average of 111 duels per game (a league high), and with a success rate of 53 percent they're among the top three in Germany. What's also admirable is that they've coped well with the departure of three key players over the summer. In Tim Kleindienst (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Jan-Niklas Beste (Benfica) and Eren Dinkci (SC Freiburg), Heidenheim lost their three most prolific attacking players. Despite that, they've managed to put together a competitive squad this season that's capable of fighting on two fronts in the Bundesliga and Conference League. More on our opponents in our in-depth profile.
As the year nears its end, Bayer 04 would like to honour some Bayer 04 fan clubs in the last three Bundesliga home games in 2024 to say thank you for their great support this year. At today's match against Heidenheim, Leverkusen fan clubs with 10-15 years of existence will be honoured during the half-time break and will be presented by Fernando Carro, CEO of Bayer 04.
Bastian Dankert is the referee for today's meeting. The 44-year-old has taken charge of 14 competitive matches involving the Werkself to date (W7 D1 L6). Assisting Dankert today are René Rohde and Marcel Unger, with Felix Zwayer deployed as the VAR.
After eight years in the youth set-up at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Benjamin Adam is leaving the club. The 35-year-old, who most recently coached the Leverkusen U17s, will take charge of the Hansa Rostock U19 team next season.
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As well as internal changes and familiar faces, Bayer 04 are also looking to bring fresh impetus to the coaching staff of the senior youth squads for the 2026/27 campaign. Here is an overview of the U19, U17 and U16 teams.
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Bayer 04 have signed 16-year-old defensive midfielder Kennet Eichhorn from Hertha Berlin. The Germany U17 international is joining the Werkself from the Berlin Bundesliga 2 club on a long-term contract. Eichhorn made 19 appearances for the Hertha Berlin first team last season, scoring two goals.
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Welcome to Leverkusen, Kennet Eichhorn. Bayer 04 have signed the 16-year-old midfielder from Hertha Berlin. Read on to find out more about our new signing.
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