Live blog: Werkself away at FC Copenhagen

+++ 18 September, 20:45: Werkself salvage a draw +++

Phew, what a final phase! The Werkself went behind early on to a Jordan Larsson strike in the 9th minute and that's how it stayed for a long time. It was only in the last few minutes that the Black and Reds managed to equalise. They were awarded a free kick, which was of course a job for Alejandro Grimaldo. And the Spaniard once again slammed the ball into the top corner in true Frankfurt style – incredible! But then there was a quick response from the home side (86'), to which we also had an answer (90'+1). It means we start this Champions League campaign with a 2-2 draw. Read up on the game in our match report:

• Match report

+++ 18 September, 17:35: Arrival at Parken +++

Hurrah, hurrah, Bayer are here! And we're already buzzing with excitement. The Werkself have now arrived at the stadium, so things are really heating up! As usual, you can follow the match on our live blog (in German) here on bayer04.de or in the app, where we've already been blogging for 20 minutes. In addition, Werkself Radio is broadcasting live from the stadium and the match is being shown live on DAZN. We'll see you right back here after the match – hopefully with a positive result!

+++ 18 September, 16:17: Off to the stadium with the right music +++

While the team are currently eating their pre-match meal and holding a final meeting before departure, we're already on our way to Parken. What music is playing on the bus on the way to the stadium? The ‘Sound of Dreams’ Spotify playlist, of course! The list includes a few songs that our players have added. Malik Tillman, for example, who – as he told us – is also responsible for the gym playlist, has added Young Thug's Digits to the playlist. For Jarell Quansah, Quavo's Rocket Power was a must, and Ibrahim Maza is currently listening to his favourite songs, Strangers by Giveon and What you heard by Sonder, on repeat. You're not following our Copenhagen playlist on Spotify yet? Well, hurry up, turn it up and get in the mood!

+++ 18 September, 16:01: Fans exploring Copenhagen +++

We take a break from the Youth League clash to visit the heart of Copenhagen. Throughout the day, we've encountered several Bayer 04 fans at Nyhavn and other beautiful locations in the Danish capital. Like the team, they're eagerly anticipating tonight's match. Kick-off is in two and a half hours!

+++ 18 September, 15:57: Opening victory in the Youth League! 😍💪 +++

What a start to the competition! Our U19 team won their first match in the Youth League 2-0 at FC Copenhagen this afternoon. New head coach Kevin Brok's team took an early lead through Emmanuel Chigozie Owen, who then added a second goal after the break to seal the final score. Brok spoke afterwards of a "very solid" performance, especially in defence. You can read all about the match HERE in the match report!

+++ 18 September, 12:32: Cheerful mood followed by focus preparation +++

Our U19s are at Tingbjerg Idrætspark and have checked out the pitch, which appears to be in really good condition. The FC Copenhagen goalkeepers are already out warming up, with ours set to follow shortly. We've already got the Leverkusen line-up for you, with Ferdinand Pohl and Ken Izekor the only two changes from the 4-1 league win at TSV Schott Mainz.

+++ 18 September, 12:14: Activation? Check! 💪✔️ +++

+++ 18 September, 11:47: Countdown to kick-off for U19s +++

It's all set! We've just arrived at Tingbjerg Idrætspark in the far north-west of Copenhagen, where Bayer 04's first Youth League match of the season will kick off in just over two hours. The U19 team will also be here any moment now. A quick tour of the pitch, change into kit and a pep talk in the dressing room – which has a bit of a district league feel to it – and then it's time for the warm-up! We've brought you a few pictures from today's Youth League venue. It has a certain charm...

By the way, you can follow the match live via stream on bayer04.de and in the Bayer 04 app – right HERE! And of course, the trusted voice of Niko Hartmann from Werkself Radio will be providing commentary for this U19 European opener. It's going to be good!

+++ 18 September, 08.54: Matchday for Bayer! +++

Godmorgen fra København, Werkself fans! Matchday 1 of this Champions League campaign kicks off with a game against FC Copenhagen at the atmospheric Parken at 18.45 CEST. The Werkself's schedule for the day looks like this: Following breakfast, the team will have an activation session around midday - impressions will follow, of course - with a short final video analysis. Later, after lunch, the players will gather again for a team meeting before the bus sets off for the stadium in the early evening. We'll also be reporting beforehand on our U19s' Youth League match, which kicks off at 13:45. So here's to a good matchday for both our teams and let's go for it!

+++ 17 September, 22:58: That's it for today +++

Back at the hotel: After the team have eaten together, it's time for them to head to their rooms, because tomorrow is going to be an exhausting and above all exciting day. And with that we say good night and see you tomorrow from Denmark's capital, or as they say here: Godnat og på gensyn i morgen!

+++ 17 September, 19:20: Press conference with Hjulmand and Flekken +++

For head coach Kasper Hjulmand, who already knows the Parken very well, especially from his time as Denmark's national coach, it is a special start to the UCL campaign. Hjulmand at the press conference: "It is of course a special coincidence to be playing my first match in the Champions League here with Bayer 04. And I know FC Copenhagen very well, of course. But when the game starts, it's like any other for me and it's all about the players." The Werkself are no strangers to the Parken either: In 2014, a 3-2 away win under coach Roger Schmidt paved the way to successful UCL qualification.

Looking ahead to tomorrow's encounter, the Dane paid tribute to the home side: "They are very strong at home, good teams have already had problems here. They have definitely raised Danish football to a new level," said Hjulmand, who nevertheless emphasised with confidence: "But, of course, we're ready. It's going to be a party." Goalkeeper Flekken next to him agreed: "Playing in the Champions League is something everyone wants to achieve at some point. It's a dream come true".

Further statements from the press conference report can be found HERE.

+++ 17 September, 18:47: Arrival at Parken +++

Arrival at the legendary Parken Stadium - home to FC Copenhagen and the Danish national team since 1992 - where the press conference with head coach Kasper Hjulmand and goalkeeper Mark Flekken will take place in a few minutes. But first to the venue: The stadium has space for 38,065 spectators, and for concerts - for example by Bruce Springsteen or Michael Jackson - even up to 50,000 people. In 2001, the stadium was given a retractable roof to host the Eurovision Song Contest. And that's not all: Chef Rasmus Kofoed's restaurant Geranium, located at the stadium, has been awarded three Michelin stars and won the Bocuse d'Or, the culinary equivalent of the Ballon d'Or, in 2011.

+++17 September, 18.17: Wide-ranging musical tastes with the U19s 🎶🎧 +++

Velkommen til København is also the motto for the U19s. On the flight to Denmark, the young players naturally had something to listen to to pass the time - and their taste in music is extremely varied: Ken Izekor, for example, likes to listen to Afrobeat, French music and English rap ("It just puts you in a good mood and makes you want to play!"), with Burna Boy, Rema and Asake not to be missed on the attacker's playlist. His team-mate Julien Kurowski mainly listens to rap from his home country of Poland to get in the mood for the matchday.

Now it's time for the lads to walk over to the U19 team hotel, which is located right next to the airport. They quickly settle into their rooms and then it's time for dinner together. The last official part of Matchday 1 for the U19s is the team meeting. While things quieten down here, the pre-match press conference with Kasper Hjulmand and Mark Flekken is at the Parken Stadium. So it won't be boring here - stay tuned!

+++ 17 September, 18:01 Uhr: Touchdown in Dänemark 🇩🇰 +++

Hej, Copenhagen! The Bayer 04 squad has just arrived in the Danish capital. The weather? A fresh wind is blowing across the tarmac, but otherwise the temperatures are pleasant, just like at home in Germany, with a mix of sun and clouds.

Last item on the programme now: The press conference at the Parken Stadium, which head coach Kasper Hjulmand and goalkeeper Mark Flekken are now heading straight to. In the meantime, the rest of the squad is heading for the team hotel. We will of course cover the statements from Hjulmand and Flekken later.

+++ 17 September, 16:03: Ready for departure ✈️ +++

The Bayer 04 squad - as usual in the UCL in chic Lerros outfits - has arrived at the airport and is about to board the plane. The team charter flight will take around one and a half to two hours en route to Copenhagen-Kastrup Airport. We say: Airplane mode on and see you later!

+++ 17 September, 14:00: The squad for the UCL match in Copenhagen +++

Nathan Tella picked up a knock in the game against Frankfurt and will not travel to Copenhagen. Following the injury to Exequiel Palacios, Jeanuel Belocian has been called up to the UCL squad and he will be on board.

+++ 17 September, 13:57: Final training session +++

Greetings from the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The players go through their paces in the final pre-match training session. It was a pleasant 17 degrees out on the pitch and they got down to business one last time before their departure. The 15-minute open part of the session included warm-up and agility routines, followed by passing practice. On the other side of the pitch, the three goalkeepers trained diligently between the posts with goalkeeping coach David Thiel.

The lads will have lunch together straight after the session before the team bus sets off for Cologne Bonn Airport.

+++ 17 September, 13:26: Media interview with Rolfes +++

The first team have started their final pre-match training session, and we'll have more on that in a moment! But first of all, the most important statements from managing director sport Simon Rolfes, who spoke to the media on the sidelines at the training pitch before the start of the session. Among other things, the 43-year-old said: "The Champions League is always something special. The league phase has shown how important every game, every point and every goal is. What surprised us last year - compared to previous group stages - was that the favourites weakened. We are now looking forward to a good opponent and a great stadium with a great football atmosphere. We have to be wide awake from the very first second. Copenhagen have good processes and lots of confidence. We have to show strength and commitment."

+++ 17 September, 13:05: Final training session for the U19s +++

The U19s started their final session ahead of the UEFA Youth League opener right on time at noon. The hour-long final training session under the direction of new head coach Kevin Brok on one of the training pitches next to the Ulrich Haberland Stadium has just come to an end. The warm-up was a lot of fun, but the subsequent game forms were all about full focus! Now it's off to the showers for the boys, then to lunch together and finally on the team bus to Cologne Bonn Airport. You can find all the information and comments on the Youth League match in Denmark's capital under the following link.

U19 PREVIEW

By the way: This first Youth League clash of the current season will be streamed live on bayer04.de and on the Bayer 04 app. Niko Hartmann from Werkself Radio will be in action as the match commentator.

+++ 17 September, 11:47: Get in the mood with a tour pass and Spotify playlist +++

Incidentally, the motto of our Champions League journey this season is ‘Sound of Dreams - #aCROSS Europe 2025/26’. Every UCL matchday will be like a concert - the stadium will be the stage, you will be our audience and the opponents will be the co-actors. Together we will create unforgettable gigs, whether in Leverkusen or at the big arenas across Europe. With the Sound of Dreams we bring football and music together - full of energy, emotion and real goosebumps.

There is a special tour pass available at the Fanwelt, which you can use to fill stickers in for every UCL match and benefit from exclusive promotions. In addition, a specially created, matching Spotify playlist will get you in the right mood for the Champions League. You can find the playlist and all information about the Tour Pass HERE.

+++ 17 September, 10:21: Travel tips for fans in Copenhagen +++

In the meantime, a tip for all travelling Bayer 04 fans: Whether it's Tivoli, Nyhavn or Rosenborg Castle - Copenhagen is a great place to pass the time before tomorrow's game. Would you like an overview of the best sightseeing tips for the Danish capital? No problem! 😉👇

TRAVEL TIPS

+++ 17 September, 09:04: We're ready to go +++

Good morning, Werkself fans! The first European trip of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 starts today and takes Bayer 04 to FC Copenhagen. And this is the schedule for the day: The Werkself kick off proceedings with the final training session at 13:00 CEST at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The first 15 minutes are open to media representatives and will also be broadcast live on the club YouTube channel. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes will also speak to the media shortly before the start of training - the key statements will of course be available here.

After lunch following the session, the Bayer 04 squad - including the U19 squad for tomorrow's UEFA Youth League opener - will travel to the airport for the flight to Copenhagen. After landing, head coach Kasper Hjulmand and goalkeeper Mark Flekken will head straight to the pre-match press conference at the Parken Stadium. A full programme - and, of course, we'll take you with us every step of the way.