
As part of its district matchdays, Bayer 04 is bringing black-and-red football spirit to different areas of Leverkusen. For this game against Wolfsburg, Werkself fans in Monheim am Rhein can look forward to a wide range of club activities – from football training sessions in nurseries to a family festival featuring a penalty shootout and a varied programme of events on Easter Monday. There is also a signed shirt to be won.
The Werkself are enjoying their best-ever unbeaten run in this fixture, now standing at eight games without defeat to Wolfsburg. The last five have all ended in Leverkusen wins, including a thrilling 4-3 victory thanks to Victor Boniface’s late goal in the most recent home meeting in September 2024. The Wolves had installed a new coach in Daniel Bauer ahead of this season’s reverse fixture as well, which the Werkself won 3-1 in November. After Wolfsburg had slipped to 17th in the table in March, they changed things up again and brought back Hecking, who led the club to DFB Pokal glory and a Bundesliga runners-up finish in 2014/15. Now his job is to keep them in the top flight.
Both teams like to make fast starts and have the most goals in the opening 15 minutes across the Bundesliga this season. Patrik Schick bagged an early double last time out against Heidenheim and is looking to complete his set this game, as Wolfsburg are the only team out of the 25 he has faced in the Bundesliga that he is yet to score against. However, the Czech striker will be without one of his main sources of goals, as Aleix Garcia is suspended.
Saturday’s visitors are having their worst campaign since they came up to the Bundesliga in 1997 and are onto their third coach of the season in Hecking. But they are still yet to win in two games under the 61-year-old and now 10 in total going back to January. The Wolves may be in trouble, but there is no shortage of quality in their squad. Striker Mohamed Amoura and goalkeeper Kamil Grabara have proven the difference on a number of occasions. Find out how Wolfsburg could get out of the bottom three and which key players are missing in Leverkusen in our opposition profile.
The German FA (DFB) have appointed Martin Petersen to oversee this game. The 41-year-old has taken charge of eight previous Werkself fixtures, with five wins. That includes a 2-1 victory at St. Pauli on Matchday 5 of this season.

New signing Miguel Gutiérrez has made a good start at Leverkusen and has promptly earned a nomination for Player of the Month in his first few weeks in the Bundesliga. He has scored one goal and provided three assists in four league games. The Spanish left-back has also brought some impressive stats with him to Bayer 04. Issue #56 of the Werkself magazine has taken a look at these figures. ‘Facts & Fun’ with Miguel Gutiérrez.
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With seven points, Mainz 05 are currently joint seventh, level on points with sixth-placed Bayer 04. In today’s head-to-head clash (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself must be particularly wary of the clinical Mainz strike duo. For Leverkusen fans who have left it to the last minute, there are still a few tickets available from the matchday ticket office. Those following the Black and Reds from home, on the other hand, have a choice: RTL is broadcasting the match on free-to-air TV, and Werkself Radio is also offering the expert commentary of former Bayer 04 player Falko Götz. Today’s matchday news.
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Back from the international break: On Saturday 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to Mainz 05. Ahead of the clash at the MEWA ARENA against the side currently sixth in the table, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the team’s work during the extended international break. The Spaniard also commented, when asked, on a number of squad matters, including Ibrahim Maza.
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FSV Mainz 05 went into the international break on the back of an away win at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Currently sixth in the table, the Rheinhessen side – who have been impressive on the road – now aim to continue their good start to the Bundesliga campaign at home when they face the Werkself on Saturday, 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). In terms of squad selection, Urs Fischer once again has more options at his disposal. Up front, the Mainz coach is likely to continue relying on what is currently the league’s most successful strike partnership. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Thomas Eichin has been working for Bayer 04 for six years – as Director of Professional Teams since July 2023 – and has contributed to the successful development of our club in many areas. Today, Friday 9 October, Freiburg-born Eichin is celebrating his 60th birthday. We wish him a very happy birthday.
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