Should the Werkself avoid defeat in Köpenick, they will equal the Bundesliga record for longest unbeaten start to a season. That is currently held by Bayern Munich under Pep Guardiola in 2013/14 at 28 games, before a 1-0 loss in Augsburg on Matchday 29. That Guardiola side are also the only team ever to have more points after 27 matchdays than Leverkusen this year, with 77 instead of 73.
Bayer 04 have lost only one of their 12 competitive encounters with Union (W7, D4), which came in Berlin in January 2021 (1-0). However, the Werkself are without a win at the Alte Försterei since February 2020, earning only two of a possible nine points from the last three Bundesliga visits.
Life had only been positive for Union following their maiden Bundesliga promotion in 2019, achieving finishes of 11th, seventh, fifth and then fourth last season to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time ever. This term has been much tougher, though, and prompted the departure of long-time coach Urs Fischer in November 2023. Under successor Nenad Bjelica, the Irons reached the mid-point of the season in 15th place. Bjelica and his team have turned things around this year, earning 15 points from their 10 games in the second half of the campaign. Find out more about today’s opponents in our opposition profile.
Some 2,500 fans will be supporting the Werkself at the Alte Försterei, meaning the away section is sold out. As ever, the Bayer 04 Fan Liaison team has compiled key information ahead of this away game. You can find it all HERE.
The German Football Association (DFB) has appointed Benjamin Brand as today’s referee. The 34-year-old has previously overseen six Werkself fixtures, producing four wins, one draw and one defeat. His assistants are Thomas Stein and Christian Dietz. Patrick Hanslbauer is the VAR.
As usual, Werkself Radio is available for anybody unable to be at today’s game. The German audio broadcast begins 30 minutes before kick-off with commentary provided by Niko Hartmann and Cedric Pick. In addition, the live text update service will keep you up-to-date to ensure you don't miss any of the key match action. Both Werkself Radio and the live text updates are available at bayer04.de and on the Bayer 04 app.
The Werkself conceded a late goal to suffer the third defeat of the season in Monday night's Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga fixture on matchday ten. Coach Roberto Pätzold's team lost 2-1 at SC Freiburg. Vanessa Fudalla (65’) scored the only goal for Bayer 04 who are now fifth in the table on 19 points.
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Bayer 04 midfielder Ibrahim Maza was honoured in Paris in the Best Algerian Young Player category at the Fennec d'Or awards for the Algerian Footballer of the Year, organised for the first time by the football journal La Gazette du Fennec. "It's an honour for me," said the 19-year-old, delighted with the award.
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On the back of two wins within four days, Bayer 04 Women round off an intensive Bundesliga week in the Black Forest. Roberto Pätzold's side have the chance to move back up to third place against SC Freiburg in the final fixture of Matchday 10 on Monday (18:00 CET) and draw level on points with second-placed VfL Wolfsburg.
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The last international break of this calendar year features the final qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. An overview of who's playing where and when from a Leverkusen point of view.
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