The Werkself are today aiming to qualify for a European semi-final for the first time since 2001/02. A note in the margins: Bayer 04 have won all of the last three second leg games on the road in the knockout stages of the Europa League - that includes the two second leg matches against AS Monaco (play-offs) and Ferencvaros (Round of 16) in the current campaign.
At the same time, the Werkself have not won any of the last three European away games (1 draw, 2 defeats). That also includes the 1-0 defeat to Club Brugge in this season’s Champions League group stage. The only away victory for Bayer 04 in Belgium was in the Champions League in November 1997 with a 2-0 win at Lierse SK.
For anyone unable to be at the game: RTL is showing the game live on Free TV with the broadcast starting at 20.15 CEST. As ever, Werkself Radio is also available. The audio broadcast starts 30 minutes before kick-off with commentary provided by Cedric Pick and Niko Hartmann. The live text update service will also ensure that you can keep up to speed with the game. Both Werkself Radio and the live text updates can be found at bayer04.de as well as on the Bayer 04 app – tune in.
UEFA has appointed Antonio Mateu Lahoz as the match referee. For the 46-year-old Spaniard, who has been in charge of three Champions League games this season, this is the third match involving the Werkself. He will be assisted by his fellow countrymen Pau Cebrian Devis and Roberto del Palomar with Ricardo de Burgos - also from Spain - in action as the VAR official.
Union Saint-Gilloise maintained their challenge for top spot in the Jupiler Pro League at the weekend with a 2-1 win against bottom-of-the-table RFC Seraing who are already relegated. However, the team in second place will need the help of RSC Charleroi in the final full matchday in the league on Sunday. Further information on the forthcoming opponents can be found in the lowdown on the next opponents.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with Germany U19 international Montrell Culbreath. The attacking midfielder and right winger has penned a deal with the Bundesliga club that runs to 30 June 2030. Culbreath has played for the Werkself as a youth player since 2023. Last December, he scored his first Bundesliga goal for the Leverkusen first team in the Bayer 04 3-1 away win at RB Leipzig.
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The Werkself's 3-0 victory over Villarreal in the UEFA Champions League certainly left many happy faces: Malik Tillman was delighted with his brace, Robert Andrich with the clean sheet and coach Kasper Hjulmand with the "manner" of this significant home win. With an overwhelming superiority and over 75 per cent possession at times, Bayer 04 deserved their place in the UCL play-off round. They will face a familiar foe in February. The Werkself review.
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Werkself TV shows highlights of the 3-0 win against FC Villarreal on matchday 8 in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 league phase...
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The Champions League journey continues! On the eighth and final matchday of the league phase of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26, Bayer 04 secured their place in the play-offs with a commanding 3-0 win over Villarreal. Malik Tillman put in a mature and combative performance for Leverkusen, scoring a brace (12', 35') to make it 2-0 at the break, while Alejandro Grimaldo (57') and plenty of control of the game did the rest in the second half. The draw for the Werkself's next UCL opponents will take place on Friday 30 January at 12:00 CET.
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