Live blog: The Werkself away to Olympiacos ✈️🇬🇷

+++ 20 January, 14:11: This is Athens! +++

We look out from the team hotel into the heart of Athens, as we have taken a look around the Acropolis, the harbour and other beautiful places in the Greek capital. The weather? In the morning it was still partly sunny, but now a blanket of cloud has covered the city. The temperatures are pleasant, ten degrees with the occasional fresh breeze. We're already in the mood for the game, but there are still a few hours before kick-off.

That's why we're using this time to provide some information about Greece's historic capital: Athens is one of the oldest cities in the world and combines antiquity and the present like no other place. Around four million people live in the metropolitan area of the city, which is considered the cradle of democracy, philosophy and the Olympic Games. Temples and ruins dating back thousands of years characterise the cityscape, as do vibrant neighbourhoods, modern architecture and an intense urban life.

Just a few kilometres away is Piraeus - the maritime heart of the region and one of the largest ports in Europe. Between the Acropolis and the Mediterranean, a cityscape full of contrasts unfolds: monumental and chaotic, spiritual and passionate, characterised by history, hospitality and a deeply rooted sports culture.

+++ 20 January, 13:47: Ultimate match preparation 🔋💯 +++

Do you want to be well prepared for tonight’s game? You can find lots of useful information before kick-off in our matchday news. If you want to take a closer look at tonight's opponents, we recommend the lowdown on our next opponents. And do you also want to get your ears in the right mood? Click HERE for the "Sound of Dreams - #aCROSS Europe 2025/26" Spotify playlist.

+++ 20 January, 12:11: Warm-up routine - Check! ✅+++

The players have just completed the warm-up routine. One or two stretching exercises were followed by several activities with the ball, which was the cause of lots of fun and just as much ambition. The squad are about to go for lunch - they need to recharge their batteries.

+++ 20 January, 09:32 Uhr: Matchday for Bayer 04! ⚽💪+++

And a very good morning from Athens. Today's game is against Olympiacos at 21:00 CET (22:00 for us). It's going to be a long day, which looks like this for the team: After breakfast, a video analysis session is scheduled for midday, followed by a warm-up routine. This is followed by lunch and later a pre-match meal. After a final briefing, it's off to the Karaiskakis Stadium. Have a good day, dear Bayer 04 fans! We will of course keep you up to date.

+++ 19 January, 20:19: Day ends +++

Back at the hotel: After the team has eaten together, it's time for us to go to our rooms, as we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow. And with that, we say good night and see you tomorrow from the Greek capital.

+++ 19 January 18:44: Hjulmand and Maza full of  anticipation +++

...and the head coach knows it too, saying at the press conference: "We can expect a very emotional stadium and a great atmosphere here. But our goal is clearly to get through to the next round of this competition." Maza has a similar view: "We have a lot of anticipation, but also fire in our bellies after the game against Hoffenheim and hope that we can let it all out tomorrow." The full pre-match press conference report will soon follow.

+++ 19 January 18:25: Arrival at Georgios Karaiskakis 🏟 +++

We have arrived. The press conference with Kasper Hjulmand and Ibo Maza will start here in a few minutes. But before that, we didn't miss the chance to take a look inside tomorrow's venue 😉

Sport has been played on the grounds of the Stadio since 1895. One year before the first Summer Olympics of modern times, the Neo Faliro velodrome was built on the site where Olympiacos now play their home games. Football first found its way into the velodrome in 1920, which existed in its original form until 1960. In the course of this renovation, the stadium was also renamed in honour of Georgios Karaiskakis, a Greek general in the War of Independence who died not far from the stadium in 1827.

The current arena was completed in time for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. Among other things, the final of the women's competition and the match for third place (with Germany) was played there. Today, the arena is considered one of the most atmospheric in Europe. The Werkself will therefore be preparing for a worthy setting for this Champions League clash tomorrow at this venue with a great sporting history...

+++ 19 January, 17:09 CET: Touchdown in Greece 🛬 +++

Greetings from Athens, dear Werkself fans. The team has just landed safe and sound. The weather? A chilly five degrees and it's already dark. Last item on the agenda for today: The pre-match press conference with coach Kasper Hjulmand and player Ibrahim Maza. Both are now heading straight to the Karaiskakis Stadium. In the meantime, the rest of the team will be travelling to the team hotel. We'll bring you the statements from Hjulmand and Maza later.

+++ 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.