Matchday news #B04SCF: Final game of the year

#B04SCF – Match facts

The Werkself won both meetings with Freiburg last season (2-1 at home, 3-2 away) and could now claim three straight wins in this fixture for the first time in the Bundesliga. It would also be the first time that Leverkusen have won their final Bundesliga game of the year in three consecutive years.

Although Freiburg are in good form – unbeaten in three league games for the first time in 2024 – and have the fourth-best defence in the division with 16 goals conceded, the Black Forest club arrive at the BayArena having failed to win any of their last four away fixtures in the Bundesliga.

Freiburg in focus

Freiburg beat Wolfsburg 3-2 last time out to end a “result crisis”, as Matthias Ginter described their recent run that produced just six points from the previous six league games, as well as DFB Pokal elimination at the hands of 3. Liga side Arminia Bielefeld. Nevertheless, they still begin the weekend in fifth place under Julian Schuster, who succeeded club legend Christian Streich in the summer. Find out more about Freiburg in our opposition profile.

Minute’s silence and black armbands

Both teams will wear black armbands and there will be a minute of silence before the game following Friday’s attack at the Christmas market in Magdeburg.

Christmas songs after full-time

Despite the tragic events in Magdeburg, Bayer 04 still wants to ask fans to stay after the final whistle and make sure this Christmas can still be about peace and joy. The team will be joined by a children’s choir after full-time to sing some Christmas songs to round off this historic year for the Werkself.

Half-time honours

Bayer 04 is using the last three Bundesliga home games of the year to say thanks to some fan clubs for their amazing support in 2024. The previous games against Heidenheim and St. Pauli saw fan clubs that have existed for 10-15 years and 20-30 years respectively honoured, while today it will be those that have been around for 35-45 years. CEO Fernando Carro will be presenting awards at half-time.

Stieler in charge

The German FA (DFB) have appointed Tobias Stieler to referee this game. The 43-year-old has previously overseen 29 Werkself fixtures (W23, D3, L3). His assistants are Christian Gittelmann and Mark Borsch; Tobias Reichel is the VAR.