The Bundesliga is not the only league where there is tight race for top spot this season: The Italian top-flight is proving more exciting than for a long while. After the 3-0 win against the Werkself in the Champions League at the beginning of October, Juve went on impressive run with nine wins and one draw. However, the perennial champions have a real competitor in the battle for the top spot in Inter Milan - and the Bianconeri have had to relinquish top spot for the first time since the middle of October.
The reason for that is the first defeat in the current league campaign: The team coached by Maurizio Sarri suffered a defeat at third-placed Lazio on Saturday night although Cristiano Ronaldo did score the opening goal in a 3-1 defeat. A minor setback for the Turin side used to success.
The Turin team are already through to the knockout stages of the Champions League as winners of Group D and it could well be that one or two first choice players are rested ahead of the run-in the end of the year. It is also certain that the Germany internationals Emre Can (not selected for CL squad) and Sami Khedira (injured) will not travel to Leverkusen. Sarri has limited choice in midfield as Roderigo Bentancur had to go off injured against Lazio and is now ruled out as well.
According to the kicker, goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny and central defender Matthijs de Ligt could be rested. The latter made his professional debut for Ajax in 2016 under the current Bayer 04 head coach Peter Bosz: Whether or not, one or the other regular players are rested, the Old Lady has strength in depth with a squad that has great European experience and they are capable of making life difficult for the Werkself.
Gianluigi Buffon will probably play in place of Szczęsny. He is set to make his 146th appearance on the European stage and it would also represent a reunion with the BayArena. In the group stage of the Champions League campaign in 2001/02, Gigi travelled to Leverkusen with the Old Lady. Bayer 04 had to win on matchday five of the group stage to have a chance of qualifying for the knockout rounds. That's what happened on 12 March 2002: Jörg Butt with a penalty (24'), Thomas Brdaric (71’) and Marko Babic (90') put the ball in the net of the Italian legend in a 3-1 win for the Werkself on course for a place in the final of the Champions League in that season.
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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