Highlights

90'
+ 1

GAME OVER

A massive win for Leverkusen and their fans are understandably bouncing. All five of the Werkself's goals arrived in a barnstorming second half that leaves Union racing for the bus back to Berlin.
Full-time
90'

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes

information
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
81'

B04 TAKING IT HOME

The pace has dropped, with Leverkusen looking content with their five goals for now. It's hard to fathom that this is the same team that produced the club's worst ever start to a season.
76'

LEVERKUSEN ON FIRE

And they now have five. How Union would love this to end right here. Mitchel Bakker slides a left-footed finish across the goalkeeper and in at the far post. Incredible.
76'
Mitchel Bakker
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
21 %
75'
Video Assistant RefereeVideo Assistant Referee
SituationGoal
ReviewOffside?
DecisionGoal
74'

B04 WANT MORE

It's party time at the BayArena. Leverkusen are continuing to pour forward in search of more against an utterly shellshocked Union side who have had no answer whatsoever to this second half onslaught.
69'

Substitution

68'

BAYER CRUISE

And now it is four! Hlozek diverts in with a back heel after some fantastic work from Amiri to get flash the ball across the face of goal.
68'

Adam Hložek

GOAL!

4:0
Adam Hložek
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
11 %
67'

DOWNCAST FISCHER

It's been an incredible falling off from Union, who were done by a set piece at the start of this half and then two breakaway goals in quick succession. Urs Fischer looks understandably gloomy on the touchline.
66'

DIABY GOES CLOSE

Diaby almost makes it 4-0, but a block prevents the Leverkusen man from adding to Union's pain.
59'

Substitution

58'

BAYER BOUNCING

Scenes! Leverkusen burst away from a Union corner yet again and they catch the visitors all over the shop. Bakker releases Diaby who slots in number three!
58'

Moussa Diaby

GOAL!

3:0
Moussa Diaby
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
46 %
56'

BAYER DOUBLE UP

Leverkusen are in heaven! It's an absolute howler from Grill, who tries to, and fails to control a backpass while outside his area, allowing Frimpong to nip in. Frimpong feeds Diaby who runs it through and scores!
56'

Moussa Diaby

GOAL!

2:0
Moussa Diaby
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
77 %
55'

B04 CHANGE

Xabi Alonso opts to send Palacios into the mix for Demirbay. The latter doesn't look best pleased at having to come off.
52'

GRILL CALLED INTO ACTION

Amiri whacks a low shot at goals from the edge of the box. Grill gets down to save and hold on.
camera-photo

GAME VERY MUCH ON

After an utterly forgettable first half, we have a match on our hands at the BayArena. The tempo has been raised and the noise from inside the ground has too. What will Union's response be to falling behind?
47'

BAYER IN FRONT

Leverkusen lead! Demirbay's corner from the left is hooked in by Andrich at the back stick.
46'
Robert Andrich
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
8 %
46'

AWAY WE GO AGAIN

The ball is rolling in the second half ...
Kick-off!
45'
+ 1

HALF TIME

Not much for either set of fans to get excited about in what was a very low key first half in Leverkusen. Both sides will surely look to step up a couple of gears in the second half.
Half-time
42'

THORSBY BOOKED

A jersey tug by Thorsby on Amiri prevents the latter from racing away. That's one more booking for Union.
40'

UNION CHANCE

Diogo Leite heads over the crossbar as the Berliners look to up the tempo slightly.
39'

AMIRI OFF TARGET

A shot! Amiri has the ball on the edge of the Union box, has a look up and curls a right-footed effort over the crossbar. A rare sight of goal in this half.
36'

MISSED OPPORTUNITY

Diaby works some space, gets into the Union area and slides an inviting ball across the box. No Leverkusen player can reach the pass.
35'

GRILL IN ACTION

Grill races off his line to collect at the feet of Frimpong. The Union goalkeeper gets there, but slides outside of his box, gets to his feet and hoofs clear.
30'

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes

information
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
1.
Sheraldo Becker
Sheraldo Becker35.74km/h
2.
Mitchel Bakker
Mitchel Bakker33.93km/h
3.
Odilon Kossounou
Odilon Kossounou33.60km/h
28'

xGoals

information
xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
xGoals
0
0.0
0.01
0
Goals
26'

JORDAN SEES YELLOW

Jordan downs Hincapie and is the latest Union player to be booked.
25'

KHEDIRA BOOKED

Khedira hauls down Frimpong, who was in full flight. Yellow card for the Union man.
21'

LITTLE TO CHEER

Demirbay has a chance to throw one into the mixer from a free kick outside the area. A mix-up in communications follows, with the Leverkusen No. 10 passing the ball along the floor to nobody in particular. It's been that sort of game so far.
12'

LEVERKUSEN PUSHING

It's all Leverkusen, who are dominating the area in front of Union's box, although failing to make any inroads past that point. If they are to get through in the next few minutes, expect the lively Frimpong and Diaby to be involved.
10'

Possession (%)
6040
7'

ALL UP IN HIS GRILL

A couple of high balls into the Union area have allowed Lennart Grill - replacing the injured Frederik Ronnow today - to gain some early confidence, the custodian claiming with relative ease.
4'

QUIET OPENING

Both sides are looking to settle, Leverkusen probing, Union waiting patiently for an opening. Plenty of intrigue thus far.
1'

GAME ON

We have kick off in Leverkusen ...
Kick-off!

TEAMS OUT

Both sides are out on the field and soaking up the terrific atmosphere inside the BayArena. Kick off is just moments away!

YOUNG HOSTS

With an average age of 24.6, Leverkusen are collectively three years younger than their opponents today.

BELLARABI RETURNS

After recovering from a torn meniscus injury, Leverkusen attacker Karim Bellarabi is back in the Bayer squad for the first time since the beginning of August.

UNION TEAM NEWS

Urs Fischer also shows four changes to his side today after Union's Europa League efforts in the week. With goalkeeper Rönnow injured, Lennart Grill comes in to face his former club. Elsewhere, Baumgartl, Thorsby and Jordan are in for Doekhi, Haraguchi and Michel.

B04 TEAM NEWS

Xabi Alonso opts for four changes to the side that started the midweek scoreless draw against Brugge, with Schick, Hudson-Odoi, Palacios and Tah making way for Hlozek, Demirbay, Amiri and Hincapie.

FISCHER WARNING

Union coach Urs Fischer warned that his team "shouldn't look at the table," perhaps for fear of heights or, because the Irons' boss believes that opponents Leverkusen should not be where they are in the standings. "Many of [Bayer's] recent results are misleading when one looks at the performances," Fischer explained. "We have our plan and know what we have to do in order to take something home from this in the end," the tactician added.
camera-photo

"CREATE MORE CHANCES"

Here's B04 coach Xabi Alonso on his team looking to get out of their current predicament: "We are good in build-up play but we have to defend and at the same time provide better options in the final third, challenge higher up the pitch and thereby create more chances. We have to play better and be more competitive."
4:45
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WATCH: UNION RIDING HIGH

While Leverkusen are enduring their worst ever start to a Bundesliga season, Union are absolutely flying. They've been top for seven matchdays out of 12 going into this weekend and are the first team other than Bayern to lead the way for so long since Gladbach (nine matchdays) in 2019/20. This is how they've done it.

SCHICK EXPECTED TO START FOR B04

As for the hosts, their own concerns up front have been eased by Patrik Schick featuring in the 0-0 draw with Club Bruges this week and the Czech striker should start at the BayArena today. Kerem Demirbay shook off a leg problem to return as a substitute against Bruges, but Karim Bellarabi and Charles Aranguiz remain doubts for the visit of Union. Florian Wirtz is back in training but short on match fitness.

DECISIONS IN ATTACK FOR FISCHER

Union coach Urs Fischer has a decision to make in attack, with usual front-two Sheraldo Becker and Jordan without a goal in five matches. Meanwhile, Sven Michel started and scored in Europe in midweek, while Kevin Behrens netted off the bench in the win over Borussia Mönchengladbach last weekend so could we see Fischer mix things up?

WELCOME ALONG!

A very warm welcome to our live coverage of Leverkusen vs. Union, where the hosts start the day third from bottom and go up against a visiting outfit looking to move back into top spot. With ramifications at both ends of the table and so much quality on display, this should be a cracker. Kick-off is at 3.30pm CET, with team news dropping an hour prior to that.
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LEGEND MEETS LEGENDS IN THE MAKING

Bayer Leverkusen have taken just four points from their first four Bundesliga games under Xabi Alonso. Next up for the lowly Werkself is the visit of pre-Matchday 13 leaders Union Berlin. Can the former Bayern Munich midfield maestro orchestrate a win against the Bundesliga's surprise package, or will the Union fairy-tale continue? Join us for live match coverage from the BayArena!