The invention relates to a device for feeding a material web (03) to a press unit (01) of a web-fed rotary press having a reel carrier (06) which carries a material reel (08) and is arranged laterally next to the machine line, and having at least one deflection rod (07) which is arranged in the web path between the reel carrier (06) and the press unit (01) and is inclined at 45° with respect to the transport direction (T1) of the material web (03) which runs onto it. At least in a wraparound angular region of the material web (03), the deflection rod (07) has outlet openings (23) which are configured as micro-openings (23) for the passage of a pressurized fluid, the mean diameter of which is at most 500 µm, and, when the material web (03) is moving, the deflection rod (07) has micro-openings (23), through which fluid flows, and is loaded with air on a length (L07) which is greater than the width of the region which is covered by the material web (03) which wraps around it.