Leverkusen coach Peter Bosz did watch yesterday's performance of the Green and Whites in the Europa League and drew the conclusion: "There are two sides to Wolfsburg this season." Probably true: The Wolves were 1-0 up at half-time against KAA Gent thanks to a goal from Joao Victor (20'). However, the game ended in a 3-1 defeat and is the third pointless match for VfL in succession. "This match partly reflected their season to date: They did not lose at the start, scored a lot of goals and conceded few," said Bosz at the pre-match press conference. "Let's see what they do on Sunday. But it's more important to me what we do – I can influence that."
Trust and confidence, according to the 55-year-old, are always evident even if the results "weren't right". "Of course, the victory against Atletico is a turning point in terms of the result," emphasised the Dutchman who has almost a full squad to choose from two days ahead of the clash in the motor city. The exception is the injured captain Lars Bender. Bosz said: "I don't believe he'll play. But we've still got two days."
An interesting point: Bosz won his first Bundesliga away game with Borussia Dortmund and his first away game with the Werkself at Wolfsburg by a 3-0 margin. Bosz: "Of course, it would be great if that continues on Sunday. But to do that we have to work hard and play well."
The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
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On Friday afternoon, it will be decided which eight of the 36 participating teams Bayer 04 will face in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League in 2026/27. At the draw in Monaco (live on UEFA.com), the Werkself will be drawn against two teams from each of the four pots, allocated according to the UEFA club coefficient. A match against an opponent from the same country is ruled out, as is facing more than two clubs from the same national association. Here’s a look at the pots and potential opponents.
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After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
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When Exequiel Palacios moved from the Argentinian club River Plate to Bayer Leverkusen on 1 January 2020, the then 21-year-old could not have imagined just how successful the next six and a half years would be for him. Pala, as he is known, had already won the Copa Libertadores – the most prestigious competition in South American club football – with River Plate. But there were still so many more trophies to come.
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