Back
23.08.2024Bundesliga

Matchday news #BMGB04: First opener as champions of Germany

Bayer 04 open the new 24/25 Bundesliga season as champions of Germany against Borussia Mönchengladbach tonight Friday, 23 August (kick-off: 20.30 CEST/live on Sat1 and DAZN as well as on Werkself Radio). Matchday news brings you the latest information on the game at Borussia Park.
crop_imago1026006507h.jpg

#BMGB04 – match facts

Borussia Mönchengladbach have not beaten Bayer 04 in the last nine Bundesliga meetings (two draws, seven defeats). The last league win for the Foals against the Werkself was on 2 November 2019 with the Black and Reds losing the game 2-1.

Today's game brings a reunion with some familiar faces. While the Foals head coach and Alonso predecessor Gerardo Seoane was in the Werkself dugout from the summer of 2021 to the autumn of 2022, the two Bayer 04 players Granit Xhaka and Jonas Hofmann used to play for Borussia Mönchengladbach. Xhaka was with the Foals from 2012 to 2016 and Hofmann from 2016 to 2023.

facts on the openining fixture

Bayer 04 open a new Bundesliga season the first time as champions of Germany. The last time the Werkself played in an opening fixture was against Bayern Munich in 2017/18.

The reigning champions of Germany have been unbeaten on Bundesliga matchday one for the past 22 seasons (17 wins, five draws). The last team to beat the champions of Germany on the first matchday was Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2001 with a 1-0 home win against Bayern Munich.

focus on the foals

Three new leaders for the turnaround: After a difficult season, Borussia Mönchengladbach are looking to get back in the top half of the table at the start of the 2024/25 campaign. Help should come from three new signings, Tim Kleindienst (FC Heidenheim), Kevin Stöger (VfL Bochum) and Philipp Sander (Holstein Kiel). The trio have a lot of experience – and they will be looking to contribute to a successful start for Borussia in the Bundesliga opener against the champions of Germany Bayer 04. Further information on the team from the Lower Rhine is in the profile of our next opponents.

5,000 travelling Fans – the Fan information

Directions, catering, contacts and more: The Bayer 04 fan liaison team have put together information on the away game at Borussia Park for the 5,000 travelling Werkself fans. You can find the fan information HERE.

Schröder is the ref

The German Football Association (DFB) has put Robert Schröder in charge of the game in Mönchengladbach. The 38-year-old referee has previously officiated four games involving the Werkself with three wins and one defeat from a Black and Red perspective. Schröder's assistant referees today are Robert Wessel and Jan Clemens Neitzel-Petersen and Benjamin Cortus is the VAR.

broadcasters – Werkself Radio and Live text updates

The match will be shown live on Sat1 and the streaming service DAZN. As ever, supporters unable to be at the match can follow the game on Werkself Radio. The broadcast starts 30 minutes before kick-off with commentary provided by Niko Hartmann and Cedric Pick. In addition, the live text update service will keep fans up-to-date. Both Werkself Radio and the live text update service are available at bayer04.de and on the Bayer 04 app​.

Related News

Farbenstadt-Kollektion
Fans - 13.06.2025

Summer, sun, Farbenstadt: Get the new range now!

Calling all Werkself fans: The new Farbenstadt range is available now from the Bayer 04 online shop and the Fanwelt. This includes new T-shirts made of 100% organic cotton, zip-up hoodies and jogging bottoms in five different summer colours.

Show more
Carlotta Wamser im Trikot der Nationalmannschaft
Women - 12.06.2025

New signing Carlotta Wamser in Germany EURO 2025 squad

Bayer 04 new signing Carlotta Wamser has been called up to the Germany squad for the Women's EURO 2025 finals in Switzerland. For the 21-year-old winger, who is set to join Bayer 04 from Eintracht Frankfurt for next season, it is the first participation in a big international tournament.

Show more
Axel Tape
Bayer 04 - 11.06.2025

Bayer 04 sign French top talent Axel Tape from PSG

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have completed the signing of French U18 international Axel Tape. The 17-year-old moves to the Bundesliga club on a long-term contract from Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain ahead of the 2025/26 season. Tape was crowned a French U19 champion with the PSG youth just last weekend.

Show more
imago1062915507.jpg
Bayer 04 - 11.06.2025

Internationals: Crucial win for Finland - Hincapie books World Cup ticket

Following the end of the season for Bayer 04, a lot of Werkself players are currently on the road with their national teams. The Leverkusen players are involved in the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League, qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and international friendlies. Read on for the latest news on international fixtures involving Werkself players.

Show more