Professionals, 17. September 2021
Record against Leverkusen
Overall: 83 games, 23 wins, 20 draws, 40 defeats, 104:145 goal difference
In the Bundesliga: 80 games, 23 wins, 20 draws, 37 defeats, 103:139 goal difference
Looking back
The two teams played out a 1-1 draw at the Mercedes-Benz Arena last season, with Pellegrino Matarazzo’s side suffering a 5-2 defeat away from home. VfB’s three goals against Bayer last term were all scored by Sasa Kalajdzic, who is currently sidelined with an injury.
Reunited
VfB striker Hamadi Al Ghaddioui never appeared for Leverkusen’s first team but scored 16 goals in 89 games for Bayer’s reserves between 2011 and 2014.
Goals guaranteed
Games involving VfB and Leverkusen this season have been high-scoring affairs. Leverkusen have scored 12 and conceded six so far, with VfB netting eight and shipping nine. Only matches involving Borussia Dortmund have featured more goals (22).
Youngest in the league
With an average age of 23.3 years, VfB’s first-team squad is the youngest in the Bundesliga. Leverkusen have the fifth youngest squad in the division (24.7 years).