'Go into the first leg with belief and confidence.'
If you look Roger Schmidt in the eyes then you will see determination. That impression was confirmed at the pre-match press conference ahead of the first leg game against Atlético Madrid.
"We want to fight our way through to the quarter-finals with passion," said the head coach the day before the first showdown in the Champions League. The Werkself are ready for the #nextLEVel.
Bayer 04 have a score to settle with the Spanish team coached by Diego Simeone. Almost exactly two years ago, the clubs faced each other in the Round of 16 of the Champions League with the Red and Whites winning out on penalties after two tight games. A moment that Schmidt has obviously not forgotten does not play a significant role for him in 2017. Those matches are more a reference point as both teams have not changed greatly in terms of playing style as Schmidt observed. "And, as we've seen, we can compete with the top team like Atlético on a good day."
Boost for the Champions League tie
His players have received a boost with the two wins in the league. "I've seen beaming faces," admitted Schmidt: "We will go into this game with belief and confidence." There is a question mark over Lars Bender. The Werkself captain went off at Augsburg with a muscular problem and trained on his own on Tuesday. A decision on his availability be made on the day of the match.
The team from the Spanish capital also have injury problems. In addition to the important defenders Juanfran and Diego Godin, the defensive stalwarts Tiago and Augusto Fernandez have not travelled to the Rhineland. Good news for Simeone: goalkeeper Jan Oblak, who underwent a shoulder operation in December, returned to full training this week.
In spite of the absences, Atlético will still field a team full of international experience. "We won't be able to beat Madrid as a matter of course," said Schmidt: "Instead, we'll have to show our quality and play without fear."
#nextLEVel
Ahead of the home game against Atlético, Bayer 04 have made it possible for all fans to tweet their support using the hashtag #nextLEVel via StadiumVision to the BayArena.
Related News
Bayer 04 - 28.08.2026
Fanwelt event following UEL draw: Autograph session with Culbreath and Sergio
The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
Show more
Bayer 04 - 27.08.2026
Exequiel Palacios joins Ipswich Town
After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
Show more
Bayer 04 - 27.08.2026
¡Gracias, Pala! – Farewell after six and a half years at Leverkusen
When Exequiel Palacios moved from the Argentinian club River Plate to Bayer Leverkusen on 1 January 2020, the then 21-year-old could not have imagined just how successful the next six and a half years would be for him. Pala, as he is known, had already won the Copa Libertadores – the most prestigious competition in South American club football – with River Plate. But there were still so many more trophies to come.
Show more
Werkself-TV - 27.08.2026
Exequiel Palacios' top goals
To mark Exequiel Palacios’s departure, we’ve put together a compilation of the midfielder’s finest and most important goals from his six-and-a-half years at the club.
Show more
