Where to Watch Bayer Leverkusen vs Bochum: Derek Rae Commentates on ESPN+ USA

Football fans in the UK eager to catch Bayer Leverkusen's Bundesliga clash against Bochum on 28th March 2025 (19:30 UK time) will need to tune into ESPN+ USA, with the renowned voice of Derek Rae providing commentary. Unfortunately for British viewers, the match isn't being broadcast on domestic channels like Sky Sports, TNT Sports, ITV or BBC, making ESPN+ the sole option for those with access.

For those unfamiliar with ESPN+'s coverage, the streaming service has become a major player in broadcasting German football to international audiences. Their Bundesliga coverage frequently features Derek Rae, one of the most respected commentators in the game today.

Derek Rae: The Voice of Bundesliga Football

Scottish commentator Derek Rae brings immense experience to this Leverkusen vs Bochum encounter. The 57-year-old began his career with the BBC in Scotland before becoming BT Sport's lead Bundesliga commentator from 2013-2021. Since moving to ESPN, Rae has become synonymous with German football coverage in the English-speaking world.

Rae's distinctive style combines deep tactical knowledge with an engaging delivery, making him particularly popular among British fans who follow the Bundesliga. His commentary partnership with former Germany international Lothar Matthäus during BT Sport's coverage was especially acclaimed.

Bayer Leverkusen's Title Challenge

This match comes at a crucial stage of the season for Bayer Leverkusen, who will be fighting to maintain their position at the top of the Bundesliga table. Under manager Xabi Alonso, Die Werkself have been playing some of the most attractive football in Europe this season.

Key players to watch include:

Florian Wirtz - The young German playmaker
Victor Boniface - Powerful Nigerian striker
Granit Xhaka - Experienced midfield general

Bochum's Battle Against Relegation

For VfL Bochum, this represents another tough away fixture in their fight to avoid relegation. The club from North Rhine-Westphalia have yo-yoed between the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga in recent years, and will be desperate to pull off an upset at the BayArena.

Manager Thomas Letsch will likely set his team up in a compact defensive shape, looking to hit Leverkusen on the counter-attack through pacey forwards like Christopher Antwi-Adjei and Takuma Asano.

How to Access ESPN+ in the UK

While ESPN+ isn't normally available in the UK, some British fans use VPN services to access the American streaming platform. It's worth noting that the Bundesliga has its own international streaming service that may be a more straightforward option for UK-based supporters.

For those who can't access the ESPN+ broadcast, highlights of the match will be available on the Bundesliga's official YouTube channel shortly after full-time, with Sky Sports News likely to show extended highlights in their evening bulletins.

Alternative Viewing Options

While this particular match isn't on UK television, fans should keep an eye on Sky Sports' Bundesliga coverage throughout the season. The broadcaster typically shows select matches each week, often featuring the league's biggest teams like Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig alongside Leverkusen.

TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport) previously held Bundesliga rights in the UK until 2021, when they lost them to Sky in a major rights shake-up. The competition between broadcasters means the league's UK coverage has improved significantly in recent years.

As the Bundesliga continues to grow in popularity among British fans, thanks in part to excellent commentators like Derek Rae and the increasing number of English players in Germany, we may see more comprehensive coverage in future seasons.