The Werkself are currently top of the Bundesliga with nine points and lead the table for the first time since matchday 12 in the 2020/21 season. Bayern Munich are second also on nine points. The two sides are the only teams to start with three wins in the first three matchdays this term. The first time the Werkself achieved that was 20 years ago in the 2003/04 season and that was repeated ten years ago in the 2013/14 season. Four wins on the bounce at the start of the season would be a new club record.
Bayer 04 and FC Bayern both have the strongest finishers in the league. The Werkself player Victor Boniface currently has 21 attempts on goal and the FC Bayern forward Harry Kane has 14 attempts. Boniface is also currently the top scorer and provider in the Bundesliga with six goal involvements.
There have been a number of changes in personnel at the record champions: Sadio Mané, Lucas Hernandez, Benjamin Pavard, Marcel Sabitzer, Yann Sommer, Ryan Gravenberch and several other players have left FCB. In addition, Josip Stanisic has joined the Werkself on a year-long loan. FC Bayern have had fewer new signings but have made a record transfer acquisition: Harry Kane joined from Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur. The England captain has scored three goals and provided one assist. FCB have strengthened their defence with the acquisition of the South Korean Min-Jae Kim plus Konrad Laimer and Raphael Guerreiro have also added to the squad. Further information on FC Bayern is available in the lowdown on our next opponents.
The team under head coach Xabi Alonso can look forward to the support of 5,000 Leverkusen fans in the away section at the Allianz Arena in the Bavarian state capital.
The German Football Association (DFB) have appointed Daniel Schlager as the match referee. This will be the seventh fixture for the 33-year-old involving the Werkself (four wins, one draw, two defeats). He will be assisted by Sven Waschitzki-Günther and Arno Blos. Dr. Matthias Jöllenbeck is the VAR official.
The German Football League (DFL) has called for a minutes silence before kick-off for the victims of the disasters in Morocco and Libya.
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 events in the match against FC Bayern. Both Werkself Radio and the live text update service are available at bayer04.de and on the Bayer 04 app – just log on.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended midfielder Noah Mbamba’s contract by twelve months and sent the Belgian U21 international on loan to France. At FC Lorient, the 21-year-old – whose contract at Leverkusen now runs to 30 June 2029 – is set to gain playing time in Ligue 1 and, through strong performances and further development, put himself in the running for a future place in the Werkself squad.
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Spurred on by a flawless hat-trick from Cornelia Kramer, the Bayer 04 women’s team won their penultimate pre-season friendly in commanding fashion. As part of the season launch, the Werkself beat Dutch top-flight side Feyenoord 7–0. In front of 3,000 spectators at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium, Kramer (6’, 25’, 45’), Sofie Zdebel (47’), Maja Sternad (59'), Natasha Kowalski (83') and Vanessa Fudalla (86') scored the goals for coach Roberto Pätzold’s side.
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The Shareholders’ Committee of Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH has extended the contracts of the two managing directors, Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes, ahead of schedule. The CEO, Fernando Carro (62), will continue in his role until 30 June 2029, and managing director sport Simon Rolfes (44) will remain in post until 30 June 2031.
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There’s plenty for Bayer 04 fans to enjoy both on and off the pitch at the official 2026 season launch. In addition to the women’s team taking on Feyenoord at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium at 13:15 CEST and the men’s team facing Sevilla at the BayArena at 15:30 CEST, fans of all ages can enjoy a range of activities – and get to meet Bayer 04 players and former players in the process. The Fanwelt is also offering a special promotion: buy a new shirt and get free printing! Here’s an overview of everything you need to know about the season launch, including the live streams.
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