Emphatic victory, statement, declaration of intent – they could be many descriptions for the Leipzig performance last Saturday night. The RB performance was definitely impressive in the top match. The team from Saxony beat Schalke 04 5-0 away and thus made it clear: You have to take us into account again. After a brief dip at the start of the year where the team top of the winter break surrendered the lead and soon after were knocked out of the DFB Cup in a 3-1 defeat away to Eintracht Frankfurt, RB have been as impressive in recent games as they were for large parts of the first half of the season.
The Leipzig team have been particularly impressive over the past week. Away to Tottenham Hotspur, last year's finalists now coached by José Mourinho, Julian Nagelsmann's team deservedly won 1-0 to put themselves in an excellent position to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in the club's history. A performance that demonstrates: Leipzig are not only a top team in the Bundesliga but also one of the top sides in Europe. After the outstanding display at Schalke, at the latest, it is also clear: This top team are definitely in top form ahead of the game against Bayer 04.
Leipzig further strengthened their already high-quality squad in the winter break – with the introduction of two Spaniards. The technically gifted Dani Olmo was brought in from Dinamo Zagreb and left back Angelino joined on loan from Manchester City. The latter slotted in straightaway as an attacking full-back and after only four appearances he is now a regular in the starting eleven with his first Bundesliga goal scored at Schalke. "He brings is even more options," said RB sporting director Marcus Krösche who was assistant coach at the Werkself in 2015 to 2017.
In the convincing victory in Gelsenkirchen, one player in particular stood out – although he didn't score any of the five goals. But Christopher Nkunku did set up four and he is gradually appearing centre stage in an attack that includes stars like Timo Werner and Marcel Sabitzer. Nkunku has provided a total of 13 assists in the Bundesliga; only Jadon Sancho and Thomas Müller have more to their credit. Indeed, Nkunku is also capable of scoring: The Frenchman at RB secured a draw in the top game against Borussia Mönchengladbach three weeks ago with a long-range piledriver in the final minute and he also scored a wonderful goal in the game at Leverkusen earlier in the season. Bayer 04 will have to keep an eye on the 22-year-old – but in which position? Nkunku can play anywhere in the forward line and, in addition to variability, he also provides a certain amount of unpredictability in the RB attack.
There is currently a lack of cover in central defence. The RB captain Willi Orban and Ibrahima Konaté are both long-term injuries. The positions in the back three alongside the first choice Dayot Upamecano are filled by the full backs Marcel Halstenberg and Lukas Klostermann. Nevertheless: Leipzig have kept clean sheets in the last four matches with this improvised solution and that includes games against top teams like FC Bayern and Tottenham Hotspur. As one of the back-ups, Stefan Ilsankar, joined Eintracht Frankfurt in the winter break, the RB defence cannot afford to lose anyone else until the return of Konaté.
Leipzig not only have one of the best but also youngest squads in the Bundesliga. In the first half of the season, Nagelsmann fielded the youngest starting eleven in the league this season and in the win at Schalke only the goalkeeper Peter Gulasci (29) and the defender Halstenberg (28) were older than 25. The RB Leipzig concept is one with structure – and one with a rosy future. If the many young and talented players develop as expected then this team – with the equally young coach – is certainly capable of achieving a lot.
Two attack-minded and on-form teams meet: The game between Leipzig and Bayer 04 could be spectacular and will definitely have an effect on the table. Regardless of the result of the game on Sunday, RB Leipzig can certainly finish right at the top of the end of the season.
From special edition jerseys to fan banners, the home game against Mainz 05 was all about the many Bayer 04 fan clubs. Accordingly, a fitting tribute to the long-standing Werkself supporters was not to be missed during half-time in the Bundesliga match. Fernando Carro, CEO, honoured the up to 50-year anniversaries of six fan clubs in front of the coaches' benches at the BayArena.
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There’s lots going on at the BayArena today. The home game against FSV Mainz 05 is all about the numerous Bayer 04 fan clubs, whose birth - the founding of the "1. Fanclub 1976 Leverkusen" - dates back 50 years. A number of fan club representatives will be involved in awards, a banner display and a half-time matchday chat, and the Werkself are set to play in a special white fan club jersey. During half-time, Leverkusen mayor Stefan Hebbel and javelin world champion Steffi Nerius will also talk about the Olympic bid involving Leverkusen. Black and Red fans are advised to get to the stadium in good time today. Matchday news.
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The Werkself host Premier League club Arsenal in the Round of 16 first leg in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign. The match at the BayArena is on 10/11 March. Read on for information on ticket sales for this fixture.
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The draw for the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 was made today, Friday 27 February: Bayer 04 face Premier League leaders Arsenal. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes sees the English team as a "top opponent" and is looking forward to meeting former Werkself players Kai Havertz and Piero Hincapie again.
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After three consecutive victories, FSV Mainz 05 recently suffered setbacks against Borussia Dortmund (0-4) and Hamburger SV (1-1) in the battle to stay up. Nevertheless, the Mainz 05 performance curve has shown a clear upward trend in recent weeks. Their coach and a former Leverkusen player in particular have played a decisive role in this. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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