The Werkself have by far the best defence in the Rückrunde with four goals against while SC Freiburg have the weakest back line with 19 conceded in the Rückrunde. SCF do have a player on form up front in the shape of Michael Gregoritsch: The Austrian has been involved in four goals in his last four Bundesliga outings. Freiburg will have to manage without another key player today: Maximilian Eggestein is serving a suspension. Head coach Christian Streich – in the dugout since 2012 – has to manage without the services of his only outfield player who has started all 25 league games this term. Eggestein has clocked up the most minutes of all the SCF outfield players, covered the most ground and won the most challenges.
Bayer 04 are enjoying the second best season of all teams in the history of the Bundesliga with 67 points after 25 games. Only Bayern Munich clocked up more points at the same stage of the season in 2013/14 (71). The Werkself have also won 21 league fixture so far (a current club record) and that is already as many victories as FC Bayern secured in winning the title last season.
The 2-1 win away to VfL Bochum last weekend was the first league victory since the middle of January and that ended a run of six games without a win in the Bundesliga. Both goals were scored from open play, which has not always been the case for SCF this season. Nearly half of the goals scored by Freiburg in the league (16/34) have come from set pieces including seven penalties. No other team has converted as many spot kicks. With statistics on ground covered, sprints and intensive runs, SC Freiburg are in the bottom three teams in the league. Further information can be found in our lowdown on our next opponents.
On Matchday 26, the German Football League (DFL), the DFL Foundation as well as the clubs in the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 are sending out a clear message against all forms of discrimination and in support of diversity, tolerance and community solidarity. ‘TOGETHER! STOP HATE. BE A TEAM.’ – is the common message. The campaign logo developed by the DFL will be visible in the stadiums on substitution boards and match balls. The campaign is running in tandem with the international weeks against racism from 11 to 24 March.
3,400 Werkself fans will be supporting the team at the Europa Park Stadium in Freiburg. The Bayer 04 Fan Liaison team has as usual compiled key information ahead of the away game. You can find the fan information HERE.
The German Football Association (DFB) has appointed Harm Osmers as today's referee. The 39-year-old match official has previously been in charge of 15 Bundesliga fixtures involving the Werkself with seven wins, five draws and three defeats for the Black and Reds. Osmers’ assistant referees are Robert Kempter and Thorben Siewer with Felix Zwayer in action as the VAR.
As usual, Werkself Radio is available for anybody unable to be at today's game. The 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 update service are available at bayer04.de and on the Bayer 04 app.
Bayern Munich come to the BayArena this Saturday with an 11-point lead in the Bundesliga as they look to take a step closer to the title. As imperious as they may seem, a weakness has emerged of late that the Werkself proved they can exploit in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the Champions League. Leverkusen are also looking to make it four Bundesliga home games unbeaten against the Bavarians. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the 15:30 CET kick-off in our matchday news.
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Another home game, another top opponent - another marker? Three days after their convincing performance in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg, Bayer 04 continue their Bundesliga campaign with an equally high-calibre fixture. Matchday 26 sees league leaders Bayern Munich visit the sold-out BayArena. Ahead of the clash, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about a comparison between Arsenal and the Bavarians, Bayern's high-scoring performance in Europe's premier club competition and a return to the squad for one Werkself player.
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High spirits and previously untold stories: Around 100 Bayer 04 fans packed the Schwadbud fan pub in the east stand of the BayArena on Thursday evening to be there in person for the first instalment of the new series of events entitled “Rudi lädt ein” (Rudi invites you). They listened intently as long-serving Werkself players Gonzalo Castro and Stefan Kießling chatted with record appearance-maker Rüdiger Vollborn and presenter and stadium announcer Tobias Ufer about their many years together at the club, shared amusing anecdotes and revealed dressing room secrets. Anyone who missed the premiere can already look forward to the second instalment – on 12 May, Rudi will be testing the expert knowledge of Bayer 04 fans during a quiz night.
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They're well on their way to becoming German champions for the 35th time and once again proved their incredible class in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. This Saturday, 14 March (kick-off: 15.30 CET), Bayern Munich will be the visitors to the BayArena. It'll be a meeting of the two Bundesliga teams with the most dominant styles of play. A look at our opponents shows the visitors from the Bavarian capital have many strengths - but are also vulnerable.
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Sofie Zdebel is up for the Goal of the Month award for February on ARD-Sportschau. Fans have until 21 March (19:00 CET) to vote for the Germany U23 international's volley to make it 2-0 in the Bayer 04 Women's derby against FC Köln (2-1).
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