Live blog: The Werkself away to Olimpiacos ✈️🇬🇷

+++ 19 January, 13:34 CET: Ready for departure ✈️ +++

The Bayer 04 squad - as usual in their smart Lerros attire for the Champions League - have arrived at the airport and will be boarding the plane shortly. The flight will take just over three hours, with a time difference of one hour in Athens. We say: flight mode on and see you later!

+++ 19 January, 11:07 CET: Final training session underway 🏃‍♂️‍➡️💪 +++

Final training session - check! At least as far as the open part of the session is concerned. The Werkself went out onto the pitch punctually at 10.45 CET. During the first 15 minutes at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium, the Werkself players were visibly looking forward to the Champions League trip to the Greek capital, despite the very icy temperatures. After the warm-up, they got down to business on the ball, with the goalkeepers training separately as usual. But now it continues behind closed doors, followed by a shower and then off to the airport. And we'll be back later!

+++ 19 January, 10:41 CET: Need "aggression, fire and determination"💬+++

Speaking ahead of the final training session, Simon Rolfes told the media: "It's sure to be a great atmosphere and heated. Olympiacos have a clear style of play, they often play long balls and are compact. That is the hallmark of the coach, which he also showed in his previous coaching positions (José Luis Mendilibar, previously at Sevilla, ed.). It's an important game and three points would put us in the play-offs. That motivates us a lot. The first step now is to get the win. After that, we'll know the situation in the table better and see what else is possible."

To achieve these targets, however, Rolfes knows the team’s performance must be right: "We're not happy with our recent results and it's important we step up our game. We’ve lacked intensity recently. We can show a stronger presence and greater determination overall and we need more aggression, fire and determination. The coach has also signalled that and the players themselves know it too, of course."

+++ 19 January, 10:25 CET: Already got the Olympiacos sticker? 🤝 +++

As you know, the motto of our Champions League tour this season is "Sound of Dreams - #aCROSS Europe 2025/26". To mark the occasion, there is a special tour pass available from the Fanwelt for a sticker for every UCL match. In addition, a specially created, matching Spotify playlist will get you in the Champions League mood.

+++ 19 January, 09:04 CET: Here we go! 😍 +++

Good morning, Werkself fans. The fourth - and of course we hope not the last - European journey in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 begins today and takes Bayer 04 to top Greek club Olympiacos. Here's the schedule for the day: The Werkself will kick off with the final training session at around 10:45 CET at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The first 15 minutes are open to media representatives and will be broadcast live as usual on our YouTube channel and on the Bayer 04 app. Managing Director Sport Simon Rolfes will also speak to the media shortly before the start of the training session - the key statements will of course be reported here later.

Following the training session, the Bayer 04 squad will then travel to the airport and from there to Athens. After landing, head coach Kasper Hjulmand and Ibrahim Maza will head straight to the press conference at the Karaiskakis Stadium. A full programme - and as usual, we'll take you with us every step of the way.