Get ready for an intriguing international friendly as Brazil's rising stars, Flamengo U20, take on German powerhouse Bayer Leverkusen in a highly anticipated encounter. This exciting match is scheduled for today, Friday, July 18, 2025, at 7:30 PM CEST (19:30 local time in Rio, which is 00:30 on July 19th EAT in Kenya), at the historic Estádio da Gávea in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. While the match features Flamengo's U20 side, it's a significant pre-season opener for the senior Bayer Leverkusen team and a unique opportunity to witness top-tier youth talent against established professionals. German fans can catch all the action live on DAZN 2 DE.
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The Significance: Pre-Season Kick-off and Youth Showcase
This friendly serves multiple purposes for both clubs:
Bayer Leverkusen's Pre-Season Opener: For the reigning German champions, this match marks the official kick-off of their 2025-26 pre-season campaign under new coach Erik ten Hag. Having seen key figures like Jeremie Frimpong, Jonathan Tah, and Florian Wirtz depart, Leverkusen is undergoing a rebuilding phase, with a focus on integrating new, younger talent. This match provides an early test for their revamped squad, and an opportunity for Ten Hag to assess his players in a competitive environment. The inclusion of new signings and the blend of youth and experience will be a key storyline for Leverkusen.
Flamengo U20's Proving Ground: For Flamengo's U20 side, this is a fantastic opportunity to test their mettle against a top European club. Brazilian youth academies are renowned for producing world-class talent, and this match allows Flamengo's promising youngsters to showcase their skills on an international stage. It's a chance for them to gain invaluable experience against professional players and demonstrate their readiness for senior football. Flamengo's U20 team has been active in their domestic Brasileiro Sub-20 league, showing good form with a recent 4-2 win over Atlético/MG U20, sitting 5th in their league table. This suggests they are a competitive and well-drilled unit.
A Celebration of Football: Held at the iconic Estádio da Gávea, deeply connected to Brazilian football history, this match is more than just a friendly; it's a cultural exchange and a celebration of the beautiful game. Former Bayer Leverkusen legends are scheduled to attend, adding to the prestige and excitement.
Bayer Leverkusen's New Era Under Erik ten Hag
Bayer Leverkusen's 2025-26 season marks a new chapter following their historic unbeaten domestic double in 2023-24 and a strong runner-up finish last season. With Xabi Alonso having moved on, Erik ten Hag has taken the helm, tasked with continuing their success while adapting to the departure of influential players.
Leverkusen has been busy in the transfer market, particularly focusing on youth. They've brought in several players under the age of 24, including promising talents like Jarell Quansah (22, inheriting Tah's No. 4 jersey), Senegalese prospect Abdoulaye Faye (20), PSG academy graduate Axel Tape (17), and versatile attacking midfielders Malik Tillman (23) and Ibrahima Maza (19). This friendly will be the first glimpse of how these new additions integrate into Ten Hag's system and how the team adapts to the absence of their former stars. While the BeSoccer preview shows a potential 3-6-1 formation for Leverkusen, it's likely the senior team players will feature prominently, as this is their main pre-season warm-up game.
Flamengo U20: Brazilian Talent on Display
Flamengo's U20 team is a hotbed of future stars. They consistently compete at a high level in Brazilian youth football and possess the technical skill and flair synonymous with Brazilian football. This match offers their young players a chance to impress not only their own coaching staff but also potential scouts from European clubs. The experience of playing against a disciplined and tactically astute European side like Bayer Leverkusen will be invaluable for their development.
Recent results for Flamengo U20 in the Brasileiro Sub-20 include a 4-2 win against Atlético/MG U20 and a 2-2 draw with Botafogo/RJ U20, indicating their attacking capabilities but also showing they can be challenged defensively. Their place in the league table (5th out of 20) demonstrates their strong standing in Brazilian youth football.
Where to Watch: DAZN 2 DE and Online Platforms
For football fans in Germany, DAZN 2 DE is confirmed to be broadcasting this exciting friendly match. Subscribers to DAZN in Germany will be able to tune in to catch all the action. Additionally, the match will have broad global distribution, with Bundesliga rights-holder CazéTV broadcasting in Brazil, ESPN in North America and Latin America, VG in Norway, and the club's own Werkself.TV providing an international stream with English commentary.
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score808.fans: This platform is your ultimate destination for live scores, detailed statistics, and comprehensive match information. You can expect:
Real-time Live Scoring: Get instant updates on goals, substitutions, cards, and key match events as they happen, ensuring you're always in the loop.
In-depth Match Statistics: Access a wealth of data including ball possession, shots on target, fouls committed, corners won, and player performance metrics, providing a complete analytical view of the game.
Confirmed Lineups and Formations: Stay informed with the official starting XIs and tactical setups as soon as they are announced, giving you insight into each team's strategy.
Pre-match Previews and Post-match Reports: Read expert analysis, match predictions, and comprehensive summaries of the game's outcome.
Head-to-Head Records: Although a friendly, you can often find historical data on the clubs' previous encounters, if any, or their general performance trends.
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High-Quality Live Streams: Experience every moment of the match in clear, high-definition quality, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the action from the Estádio da Gávea.
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These platforms provide the flexibility and detailed information needed to fully enjoy this unique intercontinental friendly.
The Anticipation Builds
The clash between Flamengo U20 and Bayer Leverkusen is more than just a friendly; it's a fascinating encounter that bridges continents and showcases different facets of the beautiful game. For Leverkusen, it's a vital step in their pre-season preparations under a new coach and with a refreshed squad. For Flamengo's U20, it's a golden opportunity to measure themselves against top European opposition and gain valuable exposure.
Expect a competitive match, driven by Leverkusen's desire to build cohesion and Flamengo's U20's ambition to prove their talent. Tune into DAZN 2 DE, and keep score808 and livesports808 close by for all the live updates and streaming as these two football cultures collide in Rio de Janeiro!
