The Werkself have not clocked up more wins against any other club as they have against VfB Stuttgart (44, plus 22 draws and 23 defeats). The Black and Reds have only lost one of the last 25 games against the Swabian side and all of the last six home games have ended in victory for Bayer 04. VfB Stuttgart also suffered a first defeat in the game against Werder Bremen since they lost 3-2 to Bayer 04 in the DFB Pokal quarter-final against Bayer 04. The 2-1 loss in Bremen was the sixth defeat of the season for the Swabians – all of them away from home.
A key player is missing for both sides today: Xabi Alonso has to manage without Granit Xhaka, who is serving a one-match ban, and VfB Stuttgart are without the services of Angelo Stiller. Xhaka is the player with the most passes (3,102) and touches of the ball (3,471) and this Bundesliga campaign, Stiller is third (2,228 passes, 2,698 touches, with Nico Schlotterbeck in second spot).
The above-mentioned loss in Bremen ended a run of eleven Bundesliga fixtures without defeat. In spite of this setback, the Swabian side are definitely one of the biggest surprise packages of the season with 63 points after 30 games. Third-placed Stuttgart, who were in the play-offs last year, have impressed this term with successful attacking football and are on course to be in the Champions League next season. With four games to go, VfB have a four-point lead over RB Leipzig and are six ahead of fifth-placed Borussia Dortmund. For further information see our lowdown on the next opponents.
Traffic information for all fans travelling by car: From Friday 26 April (22.00 CEST) through to Sunday 28 April (22.00 CEST), the A1 in the direction of Dortmund is closed between the Leverkusen West motorway interchange and Leverkusen. In addition, at the Leverkusen West interchange it is not possible to access the A1 in the direction of Dortmund from the A 59 in both directions. Diversions are in operation via the A4-Rheinbrücke Köln-Rodenkirchen and the A46-Rheinbrücke Düsseldorf-Flehe.
The Western German Donation Centre (WSZE) has an information stand at today’s game. The WSZE has one of the biggest databases for voluntary bone marrow stem cell donations (hematopoietic stem cell donations) in Germany and, with over 180,000 registered donors, makes an important contribution to combating leukaemia. The WSZE information stand, showing how easy it is to get involved in the battle against leukaemia, is next to the Schwadbud in front of blocks B3/B4.
There is also an information stand for the the 'Luisa, ist hier!’ organisation that provides support for women and girls suffering all forms of abuse. Bayer 04 has provided this service at home games since January 2023 in close cooperation with the advice centre against sexual violence Frauennotruf Leverkusen, the Bayer 04 fan liaison team and the Leverkusen fan project. If needed, people affected can contact BayArena staff (service staff, security personnel etc) with the support call ‘Luisa is here’ or alternatively make a direct approach for help. The campaign stall is on the Piazza in the West opposite the fan shop.
As in the previous home game against Werder Bremen, Bayer 04 is again calling on fans to get involved in the collection of spectacles for the worldwide camapign on donating glasses. Spectacles can be dropped off without cases at the EAST entrance (by the club mobile shop) and the WEST entrance.
Children and teenagers from the youth fire brigade will welcome the Werkself onto the pitch as flag wavers in today's home game against Stuttgart. They will be able to experience the atmosphere of the teams coming on close up. Bayer 04 is thereby paying respect to the children and teenagers of the youth fire brigade for their volunteer work that is essential in our society.
The fan fest, including a fan march, planned by Nordkurve12 has been postponed due to the weather conditions of recent days as the site for the event is unusable. Nordkurve12 will provide information on an alternative date.
The German Football Association (DFB) has appointed Felix Zwayer as the referee for today's game. The 42-year-old has previously been in charge of 32 games involving the Werkself with 17 wins, six draws and nine defeats for the Black and Reds. His assistants are Stefan Lupp and Thomas Gorniak and Sven Jablonski is in action as the VAR.
Anyone wanting to discover the latest information ahead of the cup tie can take a look at the new Werkself Live. The matchday magazine, that includes key facts and stats on the match, is available at the BayArena. Alternatively it is available free online. HERE is the e-paper.
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 Bayer 04 legend Rüdiger Vollborn. 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.
The fourth European away trip of the season in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 takes the Werkself to the Greek capital. Head coach Kasper Hjulmand's team are away to Greek double winners Olympiacos on matchday seven in the UCL league phase. The match at the Karaiskakis Stadium is on Tuesday, 20 January (kick-off: 21:00 CET). We'll be taking you on a trip to Athens and reporting on the Werkself close-up...
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A great honour for Bayer 04 Women's German international: as part of the 2025 Sports Awards, Carlotta Wamser entered her name into the City of Leverkusen's Golden Book. On Tuesday, she looked back on a special year in a talk in the Morsbroich Castle hall of mirrors.
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It was a disappointing night in Athens: The Werkself lost 2-0 away to Olympiacos on Matchday 7 in the league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign. In a match that was intense and fiery from the outset, the high-pressing home side made the better start and took the lead through Costinha on two minutes. Although the Werkself had a number of chances to equalise, the clinical Greek side increased the lead to 2-0 shortly before half-time (45+1’). In the second half, Leverkusen once again gave their all and showed total commitment but, despite their best efforts, the Black and Reds were unable to break down the Olympiacos defence on the night.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed a loan deal with Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach for Argentinian striker Alejo Sarco. The 20-year-old joins Mönchengladbach with immediate effect for the rest of the season.
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The Werkself are away to Greek double winners Olympiacos on matchday 7 in the league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign. Tonight, 20 January (kick-off: 22:00 local time/21:00 CET), Bayer 04 will not only face a familiar face in Panagiotis Retsos, but also an experienced and successful team in their Greek top-flight opponents. The Olympiacos midfield and forward line in particular are peppered with seasoned veterans from top European clubs - but even they will first have to find solutions against the Werkself defence that has recently performed with aplomb in the UCL. The matchday news.
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