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.
Edmond Tapsoba has signed an early extension to his contract with Bayer 04 Leverkusen. With two years left on his current deal, the 27-year-old Burkina Faso international has extended his contract until 30 June 2031. The centre-back joined as a young talent from Portuguese top-flight club Vitoria Guimaraes at the start of 2020.
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A special surprise: during the preview for the 'Fierté Burkinabè' documentary about Edmond Tapsoba, Bayer 04 directors Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes announced Tapsoba's contract extension until 2031 together with the centre-back. He then spoke to Werkself-TV about his time in Leverkusen so far and future ambitions...
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This evening was deeply moving: At a really special setting, Bayer 04 exclusively presented the specially produced documentary ‘Fierté Burkinabè’ ("Burkinabe Pride") about Edmond Tapsoba on Tuesday. For the preview at the BayArena, the parents of the Werkself player and other close companions travelled all the way from his African homeland Burkina Faso. The 45-minute film shows Tapsoba's extraordinary career from his beginnings in Ouagadougou to Leverkusen as well as the work of his foundation "Fondation Edmond Tapsoba", with representatives from Burkina Faso also present. Fans can watch the documentary free of charge on Werkself TV and YouTube from Wednesday night at 20:00 CEST.
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Bayer 04 have signed left-back Carolin Simon from champions Bayern Munich for the coming season. The 33-year-old former Germany international, who played for Leverkusen from 2013 to 2016, has signed a contract to 30 June 2028.
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Bayer 04 Women have strengthened for the coming season with the signing of Lobke Loone. The 23-year-old Dutch striker joins from Utrecht on a contract until 30 June 2028.
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