The 29-year-old played for FC Basel for two years. During his time in Switzerland, Aleksandar Dragovic played five games in Bern with FCB. He was never on the losing side with four wins and one draw under his belt. “It can be a bit strange for the away team in the opening minutes. The ball moves very fast,” warned the experienced defender at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday evening. “But we can get used to the pitch tonight in the final training session. These new conditions could be an advantage with our style of play.”
Bayer 04 head coach Peter Bosz is also very familiar with artificial pitches. The 57-year-old coached the Dutch first division team Heracles Almelo from 2004 to 2006 and they also had an artificial pitch. “It won’t be a problem for us tomorrow,” Bosz added. He did suggest one or two players might not be in the starting eleven due to the possibility of injuries caused by the playing surface.”
One of those is the first choice keeper Lukas Hradecky. The Werkself number one recently suffered a problem with his heel and he had to to be substituted at half-time in the Bundesliga home game against FSV Mainz 05 (2-2). The Finn will again be replaced by Niklas Lomb as in the second half against Mainz. Bosz left the question unanswered of whether Hradecky will be available for Sunday’s game at FC Augsburg.
The Dutchman preferred to focus on the next opponents in the Europa League – and they are a force to be reckoned with. Young Boys won the Swiss league for past three years and last year lifted the domestic cup. And in the current campaign the team under head coach Gerardo Seoane are forging ahead in Switzerland. After 20 league games, the lead over second-placed Basel is already 16 points. “I’m particularly impressed by the consistency of the team,” Bosz declared.
Central defender Dragovic added in relation to the strengths of YB: “They have played a very physical game since Adi Hütter was in charge (2015 to 2018, ed.). In addition, they are incredibly quick in attack. They have some real live wires. But they always take risks. And we have to be ready for that.”
Match information:
Broadcasters: DAZN and Werks11 Radio
Referee: Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)
Newly promoted SV 07 Elversberg will begin the 2026/27 season as Bundesliga club number 59. The Saarland club start their first Bundesliga campaign at home to the Werkself on Saturday, 29 August (kick-off 15:30 CEST) at the URSAPHARM Arena on Kaiserlinde, which is currently being rebuilt. For one Leverkusen player in the ‘Elv’ line-up, the clash will be a special reunion. The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show more
Ernest Poku is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen to play in the Turkish Süper Lig. The club has loaned the Dutch winger to Beşiktaş for one year. If certain criteria are met, the Istanbul club – who finished fourth in the Turkish top flight last season – will be obliged to make the move permanent.
Show more
The fixture details for the Bayer 04 Women’s first match in the 2026/27 DFB Pokal has been confirmed: As announced by the German Football Association (DFB) on Thursday morning, the Leverkusen Women will face second-tier side FC Viktoria Berlin in the first round on Sunday 27 September at 14:00 CEST.
Show more
40 years of European nights, unforgettable moments and great stories. With the new European jersey, Bayer 04 Leverkusen and kit supplier New Balance are celebrating the club’s history in European competitions under the epic slogan ‘40 Years Across Europe. Still Creating History.’ The European jersey is now available from the Bayer 04 web shop and the Bayer 04 Fanwelt.
Show more
Here we go: the Bayer 04 European jersey has landed, and the draw for the group stage of the UEFA Europa League is coming up tomorrow. To mark the start of the 2026/27 European campaign, Bayer 04 are hosting an autograph session on Friday afternoon, 28 August, from 15:00 to 15:30 CEST at the Fanwelt, with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio. Brian the Lion will also be there.
Show more
