
While the Werkself have lost just one of their last seven games, Freiburg have done their best work at home and are unbeaten in 10 at the Europa-Park Stadion, winning the last four. Last season it took a classic Laterkusen comeback to turn around a 2-0 deficit there. Like Jonathan Tah’s equaliser in 2024/25, Bayer 04’s second in this term’s 2-0 win was a header, this time from Edmond Tapsoba. The 10 headed goals Freiburg have conceded in 2025/26 is the highest total in the Bundesliga. It’s a weakness that the likes of Tapsoba and Jarell Quansah could punish again. The pair also know they have a goalkeeper behind them in top form. Janis Blaswich has saved 85 percent of shots he’s faced this season, which is the best rate of all keepers in Germany’s top flight.
Defending is generally Freiburg’s strength. Led by the experienced duo of Matthias Ginter and Christian Günter, their rearguard has made the difference several times, especially at home. Schuster’s men have also showed mental resilience, earning 15 points this season from losing positions – second only to Bayern Munich. Igor Matanovic and Vincenzo Grifo are the joint-leading scorers with six goals apiece as the Black Forest club – like Bayer 04 – continue to compete across three competitions. Find out more about Freiburg in our opposition profile.

Around 1,900 fans will be making the journey from Leverkusen to Germany’s southwest corner this Saturday.
The German FA (DFB) have appointed Benjamin Brand to oversee the game. It’s the 36-year-old’s 11th involving the Werkself, including the 3-1 win at RB Leipzig this season. Thomas Stein and Marco Achmüller are the assistants, with Günter Perl the VAR.

From the 2027/28 season, the Women’s Bundesliga will be organised by an independent league association. Following the unanimous decision taken at the DFB Bundestag (national conference) on Friday afternoon, the league’s separation from the DFB is now official.
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Following the Bundesliga clash against RB Leipzig (Sunday, 20 September, 15:30 CEST), some of the Werkself first team players will be heading off for the first international break of the season. Here is an overview of the Bayer 04 players called up for their national teams and all the details of their upcoming matches.
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A special visit to the BayArena: 222 members from volunteer fire brigades in Leverkusen, the Rheinisch-Bergisch district and the Oberbergisch district watched the Werkself’s 2–0 home win over Slovenian champions NK Celje live in the stadium. Bayer 04 had invited them to the 2026/27 Europa League opener as a thank-you for their tremendous dedication. They watched the match together in Block F4.
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The Bayer 04 U19s have extended their winning run with a fifth consecutive victory on Matchday 5 of the DFB Youth League’s preliminary round. Coach Patrick Greveraars’ side secured a 3–2 (2–1) win in their match against second-placed FC Viktoria Köln, with Burak Kir and Nebe Domnic scoring for the hosts in the first half before captain Ben Hawighorst found the net after the break.
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