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.
In glorious sunshine and temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius, the Bayer 04 Women have begun their preparations for the new season. With a relaxed first session at the Kurtekotten training centre, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team became the first Bundesliga side to resume training after a 37-day break.
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Black and Red stand out. Under the slogan ‘Diversity under the Cross’, Bayer 04 took part in Pride on the Rhine at the weekend alongside the queer fan club “Bayer 04 Junxx”. The club mascot, Brian the Lion, and several members of staff were also in attendance, championing diversity and solidarity.
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Centre-back Melissa Friedrich is set to remain at Bayer 04 for another year. The longest-serving player in the squad, who joined the club in 2016, has extended her contract to 2027.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed Portugal U21 international Afonso Moreira. The 21-year-old winger joins the club from French top-flight side Olympique Lyon on a contract to 30 June 2031. In France last year, the left-winger made 37 appearances in Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the UEFA Europa League, scoring a total of eight goals and providing eleven assists.
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