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.
Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
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Carles Martìnez is raring to go. The 42-year-old speaks in his first interview in Leverkusen about the club's development to date and how he wants to build on it. He describes his previous work in France, Kuwait, Qatar and his native Barcelona, his experience in developing young players, and the key steps between now and the start of pre-season training.
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New Bayer 04 head coach Carles Martínez has arrived in Leverkusen! At midday on Friday, the 42-year-old spoke in a press conference at the BayArena about his philosophy and his aims. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes also discussed the reasons for appointing the former Toulouse boss.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have appointed Carles Martínez Novell as the new head coach. The 42-year-old Spaniard worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. Martínez finished last term in ninth place with the club from the south of France. He will take over the Werkself on 1 July 2026 and has signed a contract to 30 June 2028. Martínez, whose contract with Toulouse expires at the end of the month, succeeds Kasper Hjulmand at Leverkusen, who is leaving the club after one season.
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Welcome to Leverkusen, Carles Martínez Novell. Bayer 04 have appointed the 42-year-old Spaniard as the new head coach on a contract to 2028. Martínez most recently worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. He previously spent four years at Barcelona's legendary academy La Masia in his home city. Bayer04.de introduces Martínez in more detail.
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