Bayer 04 are unbeaten in the three home games against Bayern Munich under Xabi Alonso with two ending in victory. Before Alonso arrived, Bayer Leverkusen only won one of their eight home games against Bayern (two draws, five defeats) from 2015/16 to 2021/22.
The Werkself could become the fifth team in the history of the UEFA Champions League to have lost the first leg in a knockout round by at least three goals but nevertheless progress to the next round – that was last achieved by Liverpool in the semi-final against Barcelona in the 2018/19 campaign.
Bayern Munich have qualified for the quarter-finals in the European Cup/Champions League 35 times with only Real Madrid achieving that feat more often (39 times).
With the 3-0 win in the first leg, FC Bayern are in a good position for the second leg encounter. But the record champions failed to win at the weekend suffering a 3-2 defeat against VfL Bochum on Saturday. For Harry Kane the second leg is now the perfect opportunity to show a reaction to the defeat against Bochum. The England international said: "Every time we've lost this season we've gone into the next game full of passion and determination. We will need that on Tuesday." Further information on Bayern Munich can be found in our lowdown on the next opponents.
After the press conference with Xabi Alonso and Jonathan Tah on Monday afternoon (HERE is the report), FCB coach Vincent Kompany and midfielder Leon Goretzka shared their views on today's game with the media in the evening. Kompany said: "We want to get the result that takes us into the next round. But the priority above all else is for us to win the game. Certain things will happen and we can expect that. We have to produce our best performance again."
Leon Goretzka declared: "We will definitely take a similar approach. The situation in the tie is an advantage but it will now be the fifth or sixth game against Leverkusen. They’ve all been tight games so we absolutely want to win the match regardless of the first leg result." Statements from the duo can be found HERE.
Fans who want to get in the mood for today's Champions League night could take a look at the two-hour documentary on the 1998 UEFA Cup win. Back then, the Werkself lost 3-0 in the first leg of the final against Espanyol. The comeback was achieved in the second leg with Bayer 04 3-0 up after extra time. The Black and Reds won the penalty shootout 3-2 to lift the UEFA Cup. The game was like a film. Exclusive insights into that highly emotional an historic night are available here:
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Anyone wanting to discover the latest information ahead of kick-off can take a look at the new Werkself Live. The matchday magazine, which includes key facts and stats on the match, is available at the BayArena. Alternatively it is available free online. HERE is the e-paper.
Die UEFA hat Slavko Vincic für die Partie angesetzt. Der 45-jährige Slowene leitete bisher drei Spiele mit Beteiligung der Werkself (2 Siege, 1 Remis). Vincic assistieren heute seine Landsmänner Tomaz Klancnik und Andraz Kovacic an den Seitenlinien, als VAR ist Alen Borošak im Einsatz.
The game will be broadcast live on Prime Video. As ever, supporters unable to be at the match can follow the game on Werkself Radio. The audio broadcast starts 30 minutes before kick-off with commentary provided by Niko Hartmann and Cedric Pick. In addition, the live text update service will keep fans up-to-date. Both Werkself Radio and the live text update service are available at bayer04.de and on the Bayer 04 app.
There won’t just be plenty of excitement on the pitch as Bayer 04 host Borussia Dortmund at the BayArena at 18:30 CET on Saturday. Outside the stadium there will be collection points for food donations to the Leverkusen Foodbank, which will also benefit from the profits of a jersey raffle in the Fanwelt afterwards. There will also be a minute’s silence before kick-off following the passing of long-time Werkself player Dieter Herzog, before two fan clubs are honoured for their decades-long support at half-time and fans receive a talk about Orange Day, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
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Bayer 04 go into the first of two successive clashes with Borussia Dortmund boosted by their Champions League win at Manchester City. Ahead of the Bundesliga top match on Saturday, 29 November (kick-off: 18:30 CET), coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the tight schedule, BVB's strengths and returning squad members.
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Borussia Dortmund are doing very well in terms of points and results in the Bundesliga, the DFB Pokal and the UEFA Champions League. BVB have only suffered two defeats to date this term. Now coach Niko Kovac's team are away to the Werkself on Saturday night, 29 November (kick-off: 18:30 CET) in the top match on Bundesliga matchday 12. The two teams meet again three days later in the DFB Pokal Round of 16 tie in Dortmund. Two very competitive encounters are on the cards. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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The Bayer 04 Women clcoked up a 3-2 win in a friendly against Twente Enschede on Thursday afternoon in the last international break of 2025. In drizzle, Lilla Turanyi (16’), Kristin Kögel (65’) and Paulina Bartz (69’) scored the goals for the Werkself against the Dutch Eredivisie Vrouwen leaders, who are still unbeaten in the league.
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