The Werkself lost 1-0 in the semi-final first leg in Rome. Both teams gave nothing away from the start of the match at the Stadio Olimpico and clear-cut chances were few and far between. Edoardo Bove scored the only goal of the game on 63 minutes.
The stats for AS Roma in away games in Germany are very promising from a Bayer 04 perspective: The Italian club has only won two of their last 15 away games against German clubs in European competitions (one draw, 12 defeats). These wins were against FC Nürnberg in 1988 and Hamburg SV in 2000 – the Italians have failed to win in their last five European games in Germany (one draw, four defeats).
It was an almost picture-perfect matchday for Roma. Nearly all their direct rivals for European spots dropped points in the Serie A at the weekend. The defeats for Atalanta (1-0 at US Salernitana) and AC Milan (0-2 at Spezia Calcio) plus the draw for city rivals Lazio (2-2 against Lecce) played into the hands of the team under coach José Mourinho. But AS Roma, in seventh place ahead of matchday 35, were unable to fully take advantage of the situation. The Giallorossi only managed a 0-0 draw away to Bologna on Sunday evening. Nevertheless, Roma were able to move above Atalanta into sixth place in Serie A, two points behind AC Milan in fifth and Lazio in fourth. Qualification for the Champions League via Serie A is highly unlikely with three games to play. The route to the Champions League – as for the Werkself – is exclusively via winning the Europa League. The team news and how Mourinho has prepared the AS Roma players for tonight’s match can be found in our lowdown on our next opponents.
In addition to the many, many Werkself fans, other special Black and Red supporters will be at the BayArena as Bayer 04 has invited the UEFA Cup winners from 1988 to the game. That includes Reiner Calmund, Gerd Kentschke, Falko Götz, Thomas Hörster, Knut Reinhardt and Rüdiger Vollborn. Today’s date is also a good omen: The Werkself celebrated their title win exactly 35 years ago on 18 May 1988. Who knows, perhaps the honoured guests may bring us luck. At least they know how to win a European competition...
Anyone wanting to know the key stats and facts ahead of the clash with the Italian side can take a look at the matchday magazine. It is available at the BayArena and also free of charge online. HERE is the e-paper.
UEFA has appointed Slavko Vincic as the referee for the second leg. This will be the first time the 43-year-old Slovenian has been in charge of the game involving the Werkself. He will be assisted by his fellow countrymen Tomaz Klancnik and Andraz Kovacic on the touchline and the VAR official is Nejc Kajtazovic - also from Slovenia..
To ensure that all fans can be in their seats for the start of the game and to avoid long queues at the turnstiles, Bayer 04 request supporters to arrive in good time at the BayArena.
Anyone unable to be at the game today: RTL are broadcasting the match in Germany on free TV with the programme beginning at 20.15 CEST. As usual, Werkself Radio is also available. The audio broadcast starts 30 minutes before kick-off with commentary provided by Cedric Pick and Niko Hartmann.
You can also keep up-to-date via live text commentary to ensure you don’t miss any of the action. Both Werkself Radio and the live text update service are available at bayer04.de and on the Bayer 04 app.
The weekend, including the Bundesliga home game against Borussia Mönchengladbach, is round the corner. Before the Werkself play the last home game of the season at the BayArena on Sunday evening (19.30 CEST), sporting managing director Simon Rolfes and his predecessor Rudi Völler (now DFB sporting director) will be live on TV. Rolfes is on the broadcast ‘Lage der Liga’ (Situation in the league) on BILD TV from 09.00 CEST, Völler is on the SPORT1 programme ‘Doppelpass’ from 11.00 CEST. Both broadcasts are available free of charge onlin
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have loaned new signing Luca Erlein to newly promoted FC Energie Cottbus for the 2026/27 season. This will give him the opportunity to play in Bundesliga 2. The club signed the 19-year-old right-back on a permanent basis last week, on a contract to 30 June 2030.
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Trophies as a youth, appearances in the pro game and his first taste of international competition: new arrival Luca Erlein, who has been signed from TSG Hoffenheim, can already look back on some remarkable achievements and moments in his fledgling career. We take a closer look at the 19-year-old right-back, who can also fill other roles across the defensive line.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed Germany U19 international Luca Erlein from Hoffenheim. The 19-year-old right-back, who is capable of playing in various defensive positions, has penned a contract until 30 June 2030.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen has a new coffee partner. The club has agreed a long-term partnership with the Bocholt-based roastery Imping, running to 30 June 2031. The exclusive partnership with the family-run business includes the installation of fully automatic coffee machines at the BayArena, as well as the right to supply and serve coffee products in the business areas during Werkself home games.
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