The first leg of the play-off is the first meeting of Bayer 04 and AS Monaco in the UEFA Europa League. The previous six matches were in the UEFA Champions League in 1997/98, 2014/15 and 2016/17. The Werkself only won one of the six games against Monaco in Europe's premier club competition (two draws, three defeats) but that was in the last game between the two sides in December 2016 (3-0).
Monaco have won four of their last six league games and most recently beat league leaders Paris St Germain 3-1 but the record against German clubs has not recently favoured AS: The last three matches against German opponents were all lost, most recently the two group matches against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League in 2018/19.
Bayer 04 request everybody to arrive at the BayArena in good time to allow fans to get to their seats in time for kick-off and to avoid long queues at the turnstiles.
Anyone wanting to read key facts about the match against Monaco before the game should take a look at the new Werkself LIVE. The matchday flyer, providing important facts and stats on the clash in compact form, is available at the BayArena. The digital version is also available free of charge online. The flyer this time includes a large poster of Karim Bellarabi. HERE is the e-paper.
Like Bayer 04, with the 3-1 win at TSG Hoffenheim, AS Monaco go into the first leg at the BayArena on the back of a victory at the weekend. Monaco beat league leaders Paris St Germain 3-1 at home in the big match in Ligue 1. Aleksandr Golovin and captain Wissam Ben Yedder put the hosts two up early at the Stade Louis II. And the goal for PSG scored by superstar Neymar failed to put Monaco off course. Ben Yedder restored the two-goal advantage for the far superior home side just before the break. The team from Monaco could have secured an even bigger win if the PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had not made a number of outstanding saves. Further information on personnel, performers and problems at AS Monaco can be found in the lowdown on our next opponents.
UEFA have appointed Orel Grinfeld as the match referee for the game against Monaco. This will be the first time the 41-year-old Israeli has been in charge of a fixture involving the Werkself. Grinfeld will be assisted by his fellow countrymen Roy Hassan and Idan Yarkoni, and Roi Reinshreiber – also from Israel – is the VAR official.
As usual, Werkself Radio is available for anybody unable to be at tonight's game. The audio broadcast begins 30 minutes before kick-off with commentary provided by Cedric Pick and Niko Hartmann. In addition, the live text update service will keep you up-to-date to ensure you don't miss anything in the game. Both Werkself Radio and the live text updates can be found at bayer04.de and on the Bayer 04 app – tune in.
Centre-back Melissa Friedrich is set to remain at Bayer 04 for another year. The longest-serving player in the squad, who joined the club in 2016, has extended her contract to 2027.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed Portugal U21 international Afonso Moreira. The 21-year-old winger joins the club from French top-flight side Olympique Lyon on a contract to 30 June 2031. In France last year, the left-winger made 37 appearances in Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the UEFA Europa League, scoring a total of eight goals and providing eleven assists.
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A warm welcome to Leverkusen, Afonso Moreira! Bayer 04 have signed the 21-year-old Portuguese player from the top-flight French club Lyon. The left-winger has signed a contract at Leverkusen to 30 June 2031. Bayer04.de takes a closer look at the new signing.
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A new signing for the U19s: Bayer 04 have signed winger Clinton Wilson from Schalke 04. The 18-year-old previously played for Leverkusen youth teams from January to June 2024.
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