Will Leverkusen’s impressive away run still be intact once they return from Berlin? The Werkself haven’t lost in their last 22 Bundesliga fixtures on the road (W16, D6). The only team to ever enjoy a longer such run on their travels is Bayern Munich, who have done so twice (33 games between 2012 and 2014, 26 games between 1985 and 1987). Xabi Alonso’s men have scored in each of those last 22 away games, which is a club record run.
Union head coach Bo Svensson, who was previously in charge of Mainz, spoke ahead of the game of a “big task. The champions are coming to town. We obviously know that it takes a top performance to be able to compete against a team of such quality. But these are just the challenges you look forward to when you get to play in the Bundesliga.”
The game will also see a reunion with Kevin Volland, who had a hand in 83 goals across 140 competitive appearances for Leverkusen between 2016 and 2020. On the other side, Robert Andrich returns to his former club. He played 66 times for Union from 2019 until his 2021 move to the BayArena.
After a good start to the season, the Berliners have slowed up a bit in the Bundesliga. Often so solid defensively, the Irons will be looking to get back to winning ways at home against the champions, but will likely be without two key players. Find out more about the team currently lying in 10th place in our opposition profile.
The A1 is closed in both directions between the Dortmund/Unna junction and the Kamen-Zentrum junction from yesterday evening until Monday, 2 December at 5am for the demolition of a rail bridge over the motorway. A large-scale diversion is signposted on the motorway coming from the north or east from the Kamen junction via the A2 and A45 to the Westhofen junction. A diversion from the south and west will lead from the Dortmund/Unna junction via the A44, B236 and A2 to the Kamen junction.
The Bayer 04 fan liaison team has all the information about this away match for the sold-out contingent of 2,400 travelling Leverkusen supporters HERE.
The German FA (DFB) has appointed Christian Dingert to oversee the game at the Alte Försterei. The 44-year-old has previously taken charge of 18 Werkself fixtures (W10, D3, L5). His assistants are Benedikt Kempkes and Florian Heft. The VAR is Tobias Stieler.
Job done: the Bayer 04 eSports team defeated SV Darmstadt 98 in the play-offs to secure their consecutive participation in the VBL Club Championship final. The journey continues now for Leverkusen on Saturday 7 March (from 17:00 CET) with a last-16 encounter at Hamburger SV.
Show more
Werkself TV shows highlights of the 0-0 draw against Olympiacos in the second leg of the play-offs of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 league...
Show more
In addition to the joy of reaching the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, the Werkself were particularly pleased with their next clean sheet and their focussed defensive performance. Although there was self-criticism after the 0-0 draw against Olympiacos in the play-off second leg, Jonas Hofmann aptly summed the position after the game: "What counts in knockout matches is going through." And one young man in particular will not forget this game in a hurry. The Werkself review.
Show more
A disciplined defensive performance in the second leg saw Bayer 04 prevail against Olympiacos in the play-offs of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26. Thanks to the 2-0 away win in the first leg, the goalless draw at home at the BayArena was enough to ensure progress to the next round. The Black and Reds kept their opponents away from their goal for the best part of 90 minutes.
Show more
Bayer 04 can go through to the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League for the ninth time tonight, 24 February (kick-off: 21:00 CET) and be in the top 16 clubs in Europe. A good omen: Leverkusen have progressed to the next round after winning the first leg in 20 of their 22 knockout rounds in European competitions to date. For their part, Greek record champions Olympiacos rested several players for last weekend’s league fixture ahead of the play-off second leg at the BayArena and will now do everything in their power to turn the tide with their usual aggressive and high pressing. The discussions on Werkself radio are likely to be just as intense as the battle on the pitch, with commentator Florian Bechholz welcoming honorary captain Stefan Kießling and goalkeeper Mark Flekken. Today’s matchday news.
Show more
