Nottingham Forest faced Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, in a pre-season friendly at the City Ground. The Nottingham Forest vs Bayer Leverkusen meeting marked the first-ever match between the two clubs and provided another opportunity for both sides to prepare for the new campaign.
Forest entered the fixture looking to end a three-match friendly losing streak after narrow defeats against Sporting CP, Udinese and Barcelona. The match also marked Oliver Glasner’s first game in charge at the City Ground. Bayer Leverkusen arrived in stronger pre-season form, having won all five of their summer friendlies while scoring 19 goals. Kick-off was scheduled for 7:45 PM BST, with Forest TV providing worldwide streaming through a £5.99 match pass.
Nottingham Forest vs Bayer Leverkusen Match Context and Form
The buildup to Nottingham Forest vs Bayer Leverkusen centered on the contrasting pre-season records of the two teams. Forest had suffered three straight friendly defeats, although each loss had come by a narrow margin. Glasner therefore had an immediate opportunity to assess his squad at the City Ground while looking for a positive result before the competitive campaign began.
Leverkusen, meanwhile, had enjoyed a perfect summer. Carles Martínez’s side had won each of their five pre-season matches and scored 19 goals, giving them an impressive attacking record heading into the trip to England.
The fixture also carried historical significance because the Nottingham Forest vs Bayer Leverkusen contest was the first meeting between the clubs.
Full-Time Update
Nottingham Forest defeated Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 in a lively pre-season friendly at the City Ground. Forest made a quick start through Dan Ndoye, Leverkusen equalized before halftime, and Arnaud Kalimuendo delivered a late winner to give Forest a much-needed victory.
Key Match Moments
1′ Kickoff: The match gets underway at the City Ground under Nottingham Forest head coach Oliver Glasner.
4′ Goal – Nottingham Forest 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen: Dan Ndoye scores a sweeping volley from close range after Xaver Schlager and Morgan Gibbs-White combine to create the chance.
12′ Corner and Goal-Line Clearance: Nikola Milenković’s powerful header from a Forest corner is cleared off the goal line by Loïc Badé.
14′ Corner and Goalkeeper Clearance: Neco Williams wins a corner before Leverkusen launch a counterattack. Matz Sels races from his goal and makes a sliding clearance.
33′ Goal – Nottingham Forest 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen: Patrik Schick equalizes with a back-post header from a cross delivered from the left.
37′ Big Chance – Forest: Igor Jesus controls Ola Aina’s cross before Ibrahim Sangaré fires just over the crossbar.
45′ Half-Time: Forest and Leverkusen go into the break level at 1-1.
46′ Second Half Begins: Both managers make several substitutions as they rotate their squads.
60′ Tactical Changes: The match settles into a typical pre-season rhythm as further substitutions disrupt the flow.
75′ Midfield Battle: Fresh legs change the pace, with both teams trading possession, throw-ins and minor fouls.
90′ Goal – Nottingham Forest 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen: Arnaud Kalimuendo rises to meet an aerial ball and heads Forest into the lead late in the match.
90+2′ Full-Time: Nottingham Forest defeat Bayer Leverkusen 2-1, ending their three-match losing streak.
Nottingham Forest vs Bayer Leverkusen Results Today: Club Friendly Live Score, Updates, Stats