This is Kiel’s first-ever season in the Bundesliga. Bayer 04 have lost only one of their eight maiden top-flight matches against division newcomers since 2008/09 (W6, D1).
This game is also Xabi Alonso’s 100th in charge of the Werkself. The Spaniard took over the team exactly two years ago today, on 5 October 2022. Under his guidance, Leverkusen won the Bundesliga for the first time, as well as adding DFB Pokal and Supercup glory to the list.
The northern club are currently propping up the table five games into the season. Their sole point to date in the top flight came in a 2-2 draw away at Bochum. Otherwise, it’s been four defeats against Hoffenheim (3-2), Wolfsburg (2-0), Bayern Munich (6-1) and Eintracht Frankfurt (4-2). Holstein come to Leverkusen with a number of things they want to improve on, especially in defence. They have already let in 17 goals, which is the most of any team in the Bundesliga. Find out more about our opponents in our in-depth analysis.
Today’s game marks Bayer 04’s 120th anniversary, which will see the team play in a special-edition kit. The jersey has numerous special features relating to the club's history and has been met with huge enthusiasm from fans. Never before has the club sold so many kits on the first day of sales. There are still some available to buy if you’re quick.
In keeping with the club’s 120th anniversary, the Bayer Sports Family is also the focus of today’s match. Numerous TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen athletes who took part in the Paralympics in August will be present today and will be honoured before kick-off by CEO Fernando Carro and managing director for sport Simon Rolfes. TSV will also be represented with information and hands-on stands in two activity areas around the stadium.
Werkself supporters can once again use the beer garden on the piazza in the north-east of the BayArena for a cosy end to the matchday after the final whistle. The beer garden was fitted with a roof construction just this summer, ensuring an improved and, in particular, weatherproof experience. A DJ will also provide music and a good atmosphere, and catering will also be provided.
Due to rail maintenance work around Cologne, there are currently delays on public transport. Fans are requested to check their travel plans and make their way to the BayArena early.
The German FA (DFB) have appointed Robert Hartmann to oversee this game. The 45-year-old has previously taken charge of 18 Leverkusen fixtures (W10, D5, L3). His assistants are Christian Leicher and Markus Schüller. Guido Winkmann is the VAR.
As ever, there’s our live text and radio commentary via bayer04.de and the Bayer 04 app (in German) for those wishing to follow the game.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen will to have manage without forward Eliesse Ben Seghir. The Morocco international suffered a ligament injury in his left ankle before the AFCON final defeat against Senegal (0-1 a.e.t.).
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The VBL Club Championship 2025/26 continues. Tonight, 27 January (live on Twitch and on the Bayer 04 app from 18:00 CET), the Leverkusen eSports team will play the remaining three matches in the online preliminary round of Showdown Four. They are up against FC Kaiserslautern, SC Freiburg and the current club champions and Showdown Three winners RB Leipzig, with whom Bayer 04, club runners-up and Showdown One winners, shared some memorable moments, especially last year. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed Swiss goalkeeper Jonas Omlin from Borussia Mönchengladbach. The 32-year-old joins the Werkself from the Lower Rhine Bundesliga club on loan to the end of the current season. This is the reaction of Bayer 04 to the injury to first choice keeper Mark Flekken, who faces a long spell on the sidelines.
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Welcome to Leverkusen, Jonas Omlin. Bayer 04 have signed the 32-year-old goalkeeper on loan from Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach until the end of the season. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes described the Swiss shot stopper, signed by the Werkself in reaction to the long-term absence of first choice keeper Mark Flekken, as an "internationally experienced keeper." Bayer04.de takes a closer look at the new signing, who will wear the number 18 jersey.
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Lucas Vázquez was the hero in Saturday's 1-0 home win against Werder Bremen, when the Spaniard scored his first Bundesliga goal to secure an important victory for Leverkusen. The 34-year-old right-sided recently met up with the Werkself magazine for an interview in the Düsseldorf restaurant Casa Galicia after the first few months of settling in to his new home in Germany. Over tapas, the five-time Champions League winner, who left Real Madrid in the summer after 18 years to continue his career at Bayer 04, spoke about his career to date, the new challenge in Leverkusen and the importance of family - and he paid a big compliment to the fans of his new club.
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