It won't be an easy game for Leverkusen: The record champions from Bavaria are riding a wave of success since the change of coaches from Niko Kovac to Hansi Flick: The men from Munich have won all of their last four games under the new coach – with a goal difference of 16 to 0. "They have a lot of momentum at the moment," said Bayer 04 coach Peter Bosz at the pre-match press conference before adding: "That makes the game very interesting for us. We want to get a result in Munich and I think that's possible." To achieve that, his players have to perform as a team and each individual "produce his best level".
Bosz will not be able to call on long-term absentees Mitchell Weiser and Joel Pohjanpalo and it remains to be seen whether Daley Sinkgraven and Kai Havertz will be in the squad. Both took part in full training on Thursday. "We'll see today how they've dealt with yesterday’s session and what happens in the final pre-match training. Then we'll decide who we take to Munich," said the Werkself coach.
One key question ahead of the game: Who can stop Bayern's in-form striker Robert Lewandowski? Bayer 04 defender Sven Bender knows how the Poland international plays from their time together at Borussia Dortmund (2010 – 14). Tomorrow's opponents played together for four seasons at BVB. "It could be an advantage as he knows Lewandowski very well. Of course, he's carried on developing since then. But he's not a completely new player," said Bosz who is looking to stop the Bayern central striker "as a team".
During the press conference, the Werkself coach spoke about possible transfers. According to reports in the media, the Argentinian Exequiel Palacios is set to be a new signing for the Werkself. Bosz: "It's almost December and this subject starts again. It's the first question of that type I've been asked and in the coming months there will be lots of questions about lots of players. I can only say: Good players are always welcome here."
An overview of current ticket sales for Bayer 04 home and away matches in the 2026/27 season.
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'40 Years Across Europe' - and for the first time ever, Bayer 04 are travelling to Greece's biggest island for a European clash. There they'll take on OFI Crete - full name Omilos Filathlon Irakleiou (‘Association of Sports Friends of Heraklion’) - on Matchday 3 of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League league phase. The meeting with the Greek Cup winners kicks off at 18:45 CEST on Thursday 22 October at the Pankritio. We’ll bring you all the latest updates from the trip here…
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Two games – two wins: Bayer 04 have picked up maximum points from their two matches so far in the league phase of the UEFA Europa League. What's more, of their previous 14 UEL matches, Bayer 04 have lost just one. Away to OFI Crete, Carles Martínez’s side are looking to add another successful performance on the European stage to their string of impressive displays. The Greeks, for their part, have been waiting four matches for a win, but Leverkusen should be on their guard: OFI’s most recent victory came against a German side. Today's matchday news.
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Ahead of Bayer 04's Europa League match away to OFI Crete in Greece, defender Jarell Quansah spoke to Werkself-TV...
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Brimming with confidence after five consecutive competitive wins, Bayer 04 face OFI Crete on Thursday evening, 22 October (kick-off: 19:45 local time, 18:45 CEST). Ahead of the UEFA Europa League clash on Greece’s largest island, head coach Carles Martínez spoke about the opposition and the late inclusion of Jonas Hofmann, whilst defender Jarell Quansah discussed the reasons behind the Werkself’s winning run.
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