#FCAB04: Match facts
This week, Augsburg placed Manuel Baum in temporary charge of the team up to the winter break following the dismissal of Sandro Wagner. However, his return to the helm changes nothing in Bayer 04’s superb win rate in this fixture of 68 percent. It’s the club’s highest against a team they’ve met at least 10 times in the Bundesliga. The last four meetings have all ended in Werkself wins. This season’s mostly positive results are the consequence of good team work. Christian Kofane’s goal last weekend made him the sixth Leverkusen player to score at least three times in the Bundesliga in 2025/26. Never before in the German top flight has a team had more players score three goals or more over the first 12 matchdays of a campaign.
Focus on Augsburg
After last weekend’s 3-0 loss to Hoffenheim – their fifth in the last six competitive fixtures – Augsburg decided it was time for change and dismissed Wagner, who had only taken over in the summer. Baum, who was previously head coach between 2016 and 2019, has been put in interim charge. Defence has been the primary issue for the Bavarians this season, especially without injured captain Jeffrey Gouweleeuw. That isn’t to say that things have been clicking in attack either. Alexis Claude-Maurice is yet to score this season, while Samuel Essende and Philip Tietz have managed just one goal apiece. Only Germany U21 international Mert Kömür (two goals, two assists) and summer signing from Rennes Fabian Rieder (three goals, two assists) have made an impact at the top end this term. However, Die Fuggerstädter have looked to play in an aggressive manner and work hard – qualities that Baum wants to build on. “Every player needs to step up. They can’t hide,” the new boss said. You can read more about Augsburg in our in-depth opposition profile.
Thanks to volunteers
This year, clubs are once again drawing attention to the ‘Thank you to volunteers’ campaign, which the German FA organises annually in connection with International Volunteer Day on 5 December. The aim is to honour the nearly 400,000 volunteers and 1.7 million voluntary workers in German football clubs for their commitment on two matchdays – the away game in Augsburg and the home game against Köln next week.
1,700 travelling supporters
Around 1,700 fans will be making the journey south from Leverkusen to Augsburg to support the team on Saturday.
Jablonski in charge
The DFB have appointed Sven Jablonski to oversee this game. The 35-year-old has previously taken charge of 14 Werkself fixtures. Among the 10 Bayer 04 wins are two against Augsburg, including the 1-0 victory at the WWK Arena in January 2024 when Exequiel Palacios scored in added time. Sascha Thielert and Eduard Beitinger are the assistants, with Marc Philip Eckermann as fourth official and Sören Storks operating as VAR.
