Bayer Leverkusen will host 1. FC Union Berlin in the Bundesliga on Saturday (15:30) without facing Union's new Swiss signing Kastriot Imeri. The 26-year-old, a last-minute arrival from Young Boys Bern, needs to catch up physically and is not available for the trip to Leverkusen. For Bayer Leverkusen, the match is an opportunity to secure their first points of the season after a surprising 2:3 loss to SV Elversberg last time out. Leverkusen currently sit in 14th place in the standings with zero points from one game.
Besides Kastriot Imeri, coach Mauro Lustrinelli has other squad concerns, but he welcomes back a key figure. First-choice goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow has returned to team training after injury and flew to the Rhineland with the squad on Friday. "I am happy that he is back with us. He is on the right path," Lustrinelli said. The 34-year-old Dane's backup, 27-year-old Matheo Raab, played in the 4:2 win at Braunschweig and the 3:3 draw against Frankfurt.
There are also updates in defense. New signing Felix Uduokhai, the 28-year-old center-back from Besiktas, was an unused substitute against Frankfurt and could make his Bundesliga debut for Union in Leverkusen. Certain to play is 21-year-old left-back Tom Rothe. The young defender previously had long hair but now sports a short haircut. Lustrinelli had once confused him with teammate Leopold Querfeld, prompting Rothe to joke: 'Coach, now you can't confuse us anymore.'
Mauro Lustrinelli has a clear tactical idea for the game against Bayer Leverkusen. He pointed to SV Elversberg's performance last week as a blueprint. "The Leverkusen players are good if you give them space. Elversberg showed how you can approach a game against Leverkusen." the Union coach explained. Leverkusen is under pressure after scoring two but conceding three goals for a -1 goal difference this season. For Union, it would be a historic first win in Leverkusen, having failed to win in seven Bundesliga and two cup matches there.
Bayer Leverkusen started the season with a loss and needs a reaction against Union Berlin. The squad is already dealing with several absences. Guéla Doué, Kennet Eichhorn, Montrell Culbreath, Nathan Tella, and Martin Terrier are currently sidelined. These absences present an additional challenge. In the table, they are three points behind leaders Bayern Munich. Their next fixture after the Union match is an away game at FC Augsburg on September 12, 2026. Augsburg currently sits third, making it another tough task. All upcoming fixtures are on the schedule.
The return of Frederik Rönnow is a significant boost for Union Berlin ahead of a difficult away fixture. His experience could prove decisive at the BayArena. Saturday afternoon's match is important for both teams to gather early-season points. Union Berlin hopes to finally break their poor record in Leverkusen, while Die Werkself aims for their first victory of the campaign. Kick-off is at 15:30.
