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:
Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.
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.
With 22 days to go until the start of the Bundesliga campaign, the Bayer 04 Women’s team have gained a fresh boost of confidence. In a friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk on Saturday afternoon, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team secured a 1–0 win. Lobke Loonen (20’) scored the winner for the Black and Reds at the Kurtekotten training centre.
Show more
A successful fourth preseason friendly ahead of the start of the training camp: The Werkself secured a 3-0 victory over Rot-Weiss Essen at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The goals in what was a commanding and dominant performance by Leverkusen from the outset were scored by Ibrahim Maza (8'), Patrik Schick from the penalty spot (23’) and, in the second half, Montrell Culbreath with a header (79’). The team set off for their training camp in Blankenhain in the Weimarer Land region after the game.
Show more
Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career as he worked as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personal Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month…
Show more
You have voted – your ‘Team of the Quarter-Century’ has been decided! This historic selection, covering the period from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2024, features honorary captains, Bundesliga champions, double winners and Champions League finalists. Edmond Tapsoba is the only player from the current Bayer 04 squad to make it into the starting XI, while his team-mate Patrik Schick is on the bench. Simon Rolfes, the current managing director sport, is also in the lie-up. A truly special team that brings together a quarter of a century of Bayer 04 history – and has left a decisive mark on the club.
Show more
Following Patrik Schick, Mark Flekken, Ibrahim Maza and Kerim Alajbegovic earlier this week, the next World Cup participant is back on the training ground in Leverkusen: On Thursday 30 July, Malik Tillman rejoined the squad, completing his first training session under head coach Carles Martínez.
Show more
