
Leverkusen have the better of the head-to-head record with 28 wins from 58 top-flight encounters, plus 13 draws and 17 defeats. It’s just one loss in the last 10 meetings, which came in Bochum on 27 May 2023 (3-0). And as we all remember, Xabi Alonso’s side then went on a 51-game unbeaten run in all competitions following that.
It also makes the reverse in Bochum over a year ago the last Bundesliga defeat away from home for the Werkself, who are now unbeaten in 21 on their league travels. In the history of the Bundesliga, only Bayern Munich have ever managed longer undefeated away streaks (33 from 2012 to 2014, 26 from 1985 to 1987).
Coming into today’s game, Bayer 04 top the Bundesliga for the most shots this season (177), while Bochum rank third for most shots faced (157) behind Holstein Kiel (160) and Eintracht Frankfurt (159).
This week, Bochum announced Dieter Hecking as their new head coach until the end of the season. The Bochum native comes with a wealth of experience ahead of his 419th Bundesliga game on the touchline – the most of any current Bundesliga coach – and with the task of turning things around. The Ruhr club have just one point from their first nine games, which equals the worst start of any team to a Bundesliga season. Add in their goal difference (-20), and it’s in fact the worst of any side after nine rounds of fixtures. And there are also other areas of great concern at the Ruhrstadion. Only Union Berlin (39.1%) have averaged less possession than Bochum (40.3%), who’ve also played the fewest passes of all teams (3,070) and have the worst pass completion (74%). Find out more about today’s opponents HERE.
The A40 motorway is still fully closed towards Essen due to subsidence in the carriageway at the Kaiserberg junction near Duisburg. This may result in travel restrictions. Road users on the A40 going towards Essen will be diverted via the A59. It is no longer possible to access the A40 from the A59 towards Essen. All fans are advised to find out about alternative routes in good time and to make their way to the Vonovia Ruhrstadion as early as possible.
Bayer 04 fan liaison team has all the information you need about the away game for the 2,750 fans travelling to the match HERE.
The German FA (DFB) has appointed Robert Hartmann as the referee for today’s game in Bochum. The 45-year-old has previously overseen 19 Werkself fixtures (W10, D6, L3). His assistants are Christian Leicher and Christian Gittelmann. The VAR is Guido Winkmann.

The final whistle of the current 2025/26 season marks the end of a unique partnership for Bayer 04 Leverkusen. After more than three decades of collaboration and highly eventful times, the Bundesliga football club and the private brewery Bitburger are going their separate ways.
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Around four months after their bitter exit in the DFB Pokal Round of 16, the Bayer 04 Women are once again away to Hamburger SV. On Monday night (18:00 CEST), the Werkself will not only be looking to pick up important points in the final phase of the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga at the Volksparkstadion, but also to make amends for their defeat on penalties.
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A simple approach to sport with games, fun and a highlight at the end: Bayer 04 organised a very special training session for 40 participants aged between six and 27 in cooperation with the Football Association of the Middle Rhine (FVM). At the day of action for women and girls with disabilities at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre, many of the participants gained their first experience of football.
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On Saturday, 28 March, the lights will go out again at the BayArena from 20:30 pm to 21:30. As in previous years, Bayer 04 once again take part in the WWF Earth Hour campaign under the motto "We're switching off" as the club wants to set a collective example for more climate and environmental protection together with people, cities and companies around the world.
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