Leverkusen play FC Köln for the 90th time. The record is slightly in favour of Bayer 04 (34 wins, 30 drawers, 25 defeats).
Moreover: While the Werkself have made the best start to the league in the club's history with 16 points from six games, the team from Cologne are having their worst ever campaign so far in the Bundesliga with just one point from six league games (one draw, five defeats). In addition, the Werkself have the equal best attack in the league with 20 goals scored (Bayern Munich also have 20) while FC Köln along with Mainz and Eintracht Frankfurt have the least effective attack with four goals so far.
Good news for all passengers on the ÖPNV network: Leverkusen Mitte station is back in action after a long period reconstruction. That will again make it easier for Bayer 04 fans to get to and from the stadium. Albeit the station is not accessible for everybody. Alternatively you can travel on S-Bahn 6 from Cologne/Düsseldorf to Chempark and then take a shuttle bus to the BayArena. All buses on this route take wheelchairs.
A survey on fan match travel is being carried out by Bayer 04 in cooperation with RWTH Aachen on Bundesliga matchday seven against FC Köln. The questionnaire is aimed at all spectators at the derby and is being carried out via an online questionnaire in and around the BayArena by students from RWTH. There will also be traffic censuses at different points. The travel survey is aimed at developing measures to make the matchday experience more sustainable. Participation on Sunday would therefore be of great significance for the maximisation of climate friendly travel. The questions are in part aimed at finding out which methods of transport Bayer 04 fans use to watch Werkself games.
A false start for the team from Cologne: FC Köln are currently bottom of the table with one point right at the other end of the Bundesliga than the Black and Reds. However, the current FC Köln form will not necessarily determine the outcome of matchday seven as derby games often prove to have their own rules. The Werkself with captain Lukas Hradecky will have to be ready for a tight match against a tough opponent who would definitely like to take their first three league points this term against Leverkusen. Further information on FC Köln can be found in our lowdown on the next opponents.
Anyone wanting to read key information before the game should take a look at the new Werkself Live. The matchday programme, offering the most important facts and stats on the game in compact form, is available at the BayArena. Alternatively it is available free online. Click HERE for the e-paper.
The German Football Association (DFB) has appointed Felix Zwayer as the referee for the clash at the BayArena. The 42-year-old match official has previously been in charge of 30 games involving the Werkself. His assistants are Stefan Lupp and Christian Dietz with Sören Storks in action as the VAR. Have a good game!
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.
The second international break of the 2025/26 season will begin after the Bundesliga match against Union Berlin (Saturday, 4 October, 15:30 CEST). The latest information on call-ups.
Show more
Alejo Sarco and Argentina won their second group match at the U20 World Cup in Chile on Wednesday night. They beat Australia 4-1 with Sarco setting the tone early with a goal in the third minute. As in the first group game against Cuba, where Sarco scored twice, the 19-year-old was also named "Player of the Match" against Australia.
Show more
Second game, second draw in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26: The Werkself were held to a 1-1 draw by Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven on matchday two in the league phase. After an early but brief setback in the form of an offside goal by Ivan Perisic for the visitors (5'), the Werkself took control and created numerous good chances in the first half. Leverkusen took a deserved lead after the break in the 65th minute through Christian Kofane. However, PSV's Ismael Saibari replied a few minutes later to level at 1-1 (72').
Show more
In the second match in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26, the Werkself host PSV Eindhoven this Wednesday evening, 1 October (kick-off: 21:00 CEST/live on DAZN and on Werkself Radio). PSV have injury problems but are in confident mood after winning two consecutive league titles. PSV coach Peter Bosz and keeper Matej Kovar are two familiar faces who have fond memories of their Bayer 04 days. The latest information on the UCL match at the BayArena can be found in out matchday news.
Show more
Bayer 04 beat PSV Eindhoven 3-2 on matchday two to clock up the next three points in the UCL Youth League 2025/26. In front of just under 500 spectators at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium, the visitors from the Netherlands led at half-time, but the Werkself turned the game round in the second 45. That makes it two wins on the bounce after the victory in Copenhagen.
Show more
