Union Saint-Gilloise are playing in a European competition again for the first time in 58 years. The Belgian club played in the Fairs Cup (predecessor to the UEFA Cup) five times from the 1950s to the the middle of the 1960s. USG have proved to be very successful on their return to the European stage: The 1-0 defeat against Union Berlin in the group stage is their only loss in the Europa League this term. The overall tally: 5 wins, 2 draws, 1 defeat.
The Werkself have experience in coming out on top against Belgian teams: Bayer 04 have only lost once in seven matches against Belgian clubs with three wins and three draws in the other games. Leverkusen did not concede a single goal in the three home fixtures.
Following four wins in succession, USG had to settle for one point in the Jupiler Pro League at the weekend. The team under coach Karel Geraerts earned a 1-1 draw in the big match against fourth-placed Gent and remain second behind league leaders Genk. Union Saint-Gilloise have already qualified again for the championship play-offs between the top four clubs with 69 points from 32 games. The Yellow and Blues could take top spot in the remaining two league fixtures as they are only two points adrift from Genk. USG had a sensational season as a newly promoted club last term and they only lost to Club Brugge in the play-offs. You can find out more about the personnel, performers and problems for the Belgian club in our lowdown on the next opponents.
Bayer 04 requests 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.
In addition, Nordkurve12, the independent umbrella organisation of Bayer 04 fans, has called for supporters to meet the team bus. From 19.00 CEST, all Bayer 04 fans are asked to be on Bismarckstraße to show vocal support for the Werkself.
Anyone wanting to read key facts about the match against USG before the game should take a look at the new Werkself LIVE. The matchday magazine is available at the BayArena and the digital version is also available free of charge online. This includes a Kerem Demirbay poster. HERE is the e-paper.
UEFA has appointed Ivan Kruzliak as the referee for today’s quarter-final first leg. Foe the 39-year-old Slovak, who has already been in charge of three Champions League games this season, it will be the first fixture involving the Werkself. His assistant referees are his fellow countrymen Branislav Hancko and Jan Pozor, Paolo Valeri is the VAR official.
As usual, Werkself Radio is available for anybody unable to be at today's game. The audio broadcast begins 30 minutes before kick-off with commentary provided by Cedric Pick und Niko Hartmann. In addition, the live text update service will keep you up-to-date to ensure you don't miss any of the key match action. Both Werkself Radio and the live text updates can be found at bayer04.de and on the Bayer 04 app – tune in.
Bayer 04 will have to manage without defender Guéla Doué for the time being. The Ivory Coast international sustained a muscle injury to his right calf during the final Werkself training session yesterday ahead of the Europa League clash with Slovenian champions NK Celje.
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For the first time since reaching the final against AS Roma (2–2, first leg 2–0) in May 2024, Bayer 04 are playing another home match in the UEFA Europa League – and they will be wearing their new European kit. On Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the BayArena will welcome Slovenian champions NK Celje, who appointed a new coach this week following a mixed start to the season. Under the slogan “40 Years Across Europe. Still Creating History.”, the Black and Reds now aim to add the next chapter to their European history, which has seen so much success in recent years. Bayer 04 fans can follow the match on free-to-air TV on RTL, as well as on Sky and Werkself Radio. The matchday news.
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European football returns to the BayArena: Bayer 04 host Slovenian champions NK Celje on matchday 1 in the group stage of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. Ahead of the match on Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), head coach Carles Martínez and midfielder Aleix Garcia spoke at the pre-match press conference. The focus was primarily on the great anticipation surrounding the competition and the clear objectives for it – and, given the circumstances, on a last-minute change to the opposition line-up.
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The champions of Slovenia NK Celje are in a European competition for the fourth time in their history. This Wednesday, 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the side lead by head coach Vitor Campelos visit the BayArena for matchday 1 in the group stage in the UEFA Europa League. Celje’s last match at the weekend did not go to plan. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Construction work continues on the ‘Haus der Talente’ on Kurtekottenweg in Leverkusen, where 36 young elite athletes will find a new home from next summer. The building team from Temmink Bau, led by Thomas Wellers, are hard at work. Over the past few days, excavators, wheeled loaders and rollers have removed 2,500 cubic metres of soil to excavate the basement.
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