Matchday news #BMGB04: First opener as champions of Germany

#BMGB04 – match facts

Borussia Mönchengladbach have not beaten Bayer 04 in the last nine Bundesliga meetings (two draws, seven defeats). The last league win for the Foals against the Werkself was on 2 November 2019 with the Black and Reds losing the game 2-1.

Today's game brings a reunion with some familiar faces. While the Foals head coach and Alonso predecessor Gerardo Seoane was in the Werkself dugout from the summer of 2021 to the autumn of 2022, the two Bayer 04 players Granit Xhaka and Jonas Hofmann used to play for Borussia Mönchengladbach. Xhaka was with the Foals from 2012 to 2016 and Hofmann from 2016 to 2023.

facts on the openining fixture

Bayer 04 open a new Bundesliga season the first time as champions of Germany. The last time the Werkself played in an opening fixture was against Bayern Munich in 2017/18.

The reigning champions of Germany have been unbeaten on Bundesliga matchday one for the past 22 seasons (17 wins, five draws). The last team to beat the champions of Germany on the first matchday was Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2001 with a 1-0 home win against Bayern Munich.

focus on the foals

Three new leaders for the turnaround: After a difficult season, Borussia Mönchengladbach are looking to get back in the top half of the table at the start of the 2024/25 campaign. Help should come from three new signings, Tim Kleindienst (FC Heidenheim), Kevin Stöger (VfL Bochum) and Philipp Sander (Holstein Kiel). The trio have a lot of experience – and they will be looking to contribute to a successful start for Borussia in the Bundesliga opener against the champions of Germany Bayer 04. Further information on the team from the Lower Rhine is in the profile of our next opponents.

5,000 travelling Fans – the Fan information

Directions, catering, contacts and more: The Bayer 04 fan liaison team have put together information on the away game at Borussia Park for the 5,000 travelling Werkself fans. You can find the fan information HERE.

Schröder is the ref

The German Football Association (DFB) has put Robert Schröder in charge of the game in Mönchengladbach. The 38-year-old referee has previously officiated four games involving the Werkself with three wins and one defeat from a Black and Red perspective. Schröder's assistant referees today are Robert Wessel and Jan Clemens Neitzel-Petersen and Benjamin Cortus is the VAR.

broadcasters – Werkself Radio and Live text updates

The match will be shown live on Sat1 and the streaming service DAZN. As ever, supporters unable to be at the match can follow the game on Werkself Radio. The 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​.