Leverkusen leaning on Diaby after his return
Bayer Leverkusen is hoping to get its season up and running against Union Berlin, and it has been boosted by Moussa Diaby's return.
After spending the past three years with Aston Villa in the Premier League and Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League, Diaby returned to Leverkusen on a five-year contract this week.
Leverkusen opened its Bundesliga campaign with a shock 3-2 defeat to newly-promoted Elversberg last week, but head coach Carles Martinez has been boosted by Diaby's availability ahead of Union's visit.
"He has trained very well, he is ready and fit, even if the past few weeks were maybe a bit unusual for him," Martinez said of the winger.
"He brings something special to our game, with his speed and his super left foot. He's also got a very good connection to lots of players and members of staff. We're pleased he's here."
Leverkusen has started each of its past two Bundesliga seasons with a defeat, with 2018-2019 and 2022-2023 being the only other times it began with a loss this century.
Bayer failed to build any momentum after its poor start to 2025-2026 under Erik ten Hag, who was swiftly dismissed in favour of Kasper Hjulmand, and Martinez knows his side needs to show more on the second matchday of this campaign.
"After a good pre-season, we unfortunately lacked certain things against Elversberg," Martinez said. "We want to do things differently, to play with passion, with the right mentality, and to win.
"A season is always a learning process, and we were able to take a lot from the first game. I'm very happy with training this week.
"Now we want and have to show our ideas on the pitch tomorrow, as well as facing up to the fight from a mentally strong and disciplined opponent."
Union played out a thrilling 3-3 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt on matchday one, with Tim Skarke scoring a stoppage-time equaliser for Mauro Lustrinelli's side after it had trailed 3-1.
Moussa Diaby
Bayer 04 Leverkusen
