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

Willkommen in Leverkusen, Afonso Moreira! Erstes Interview und exklusive Aufnahmen
Werkself-TV - 18.06.2026

Afonso Moreira: First interview and exclusive footage 🎥👋

From his arrival at the airport, the medical and contract signing, right through to photo shoots, his very own trading card and his first interview at the BayArena: Werkself TV followed new signing Afonso Moreira up close on his first day in Leverkusen. In the interview, the 21-year-old Portuguese left-winger, who has joined the Werkself from Lyon, talks about his excitement ahead of joining Bayer 04 and the Bundesliga, as well as his conversation with head coach Carles Martínez. Moreira also reveals the secret behind his iconic goal celebration – which he intends to perform “as often as possible” at the BayArena next season...

Show more
Clinton Wilson mit Bernd Korzynietz und Kim Falkenberg
U19 - 18.06.2026

Bayer 04 sign Clinton Wilson from Schalke 04

A new signing for the U19s: Bayer 04 have signed winger Clinton Wilson from Schalke 04. The 18-year-old previously played for Leverkusen youth teams from January to June 2024.

Show more
Ida Daedelow
Women - 17.06.2026

Ida Daedelow signs for VfL Bochum

After eight years, Ida Daedelow is set to leave Bayer 04 Leverkusen. The 18-year-old, whose original contract was due to run to 2027, is joining second-division side VfL Bochum.

Show more
Die Trainer-Konstellationen 2026/27 im Aufbaubereich
Youth - 16.06.2026

Youth: Coaching line-ups for U11 to U15 teams in 2026/27

As with the other youth teams (U16 to U19), Bayer 04 are also relying on familiar faces—some in new roles—and fresh impetus from the coaching staff for the 2026/27 season in the younger age groups. An overview of the U11 to U15 teams.

Show more