Matchday News #FCKB04: UCL opener against experienced Danes

#FCKB04 – match facts

The club from the Danish capital are beginning their eighth campaign in the Champions League proper, but they've won just two of their last 12 games in Europe's elite club competition. Their record against German teams in Europe likewise leaves a lot to be desired: in 16 meetings, FCK have claimed a solitary win - and that was against 1. FC Heidenheim in last year's UEFA Conference League.

For Bayer 04, the league phase of the Champions League went very well last season. With five wins, including against the two Italian teams AC Milan and Inter Milan, Xabi Alonso's side were the only German team to qualify directly for the last 16. However, that was the end of the road after two defeats to FC Bayern Munich.

last time the werkself played in copenhagen...

In the first leg of 2014/15 Champions League qualifying - also the first ever competitive meeting between the two teams - Parken witnessed a thrilling contest. After an early goal by Stefan Kießling (5'), the Danes quickly turned it around and led 2-1 just eight minutes later. But Bayer 04, under then coach Roger Schmidt, recovered and managed to get themselves back in front before the break thanks to strikes from Karim Bellarabi (31') and Heung-min Son (42'). The half-time score of 3-2 was also how it finished, which put the Werkself in a good position for the return leg, where Kießling's brace helped them to a 4-0 win at home to secure a place in the UCL group stage.

Focus on copenhagen

The Danish double winners have started the season in respectable form, winning five out of nine games in the league and impressing against Malmö FF and FC Basel in Champions League qualifying. The FCK squad includes a number of familiar names from the Bundesliga: as well as Jordan Larsson, who had a short spell at FC Schalke 04 in the 2022/23 season, ex-Dortmunder Youssoufa Moukoko as well as former Werder Bremen man Thomas Delaney now ply their trade in the Danish capital. The latter is the most experienced player in the squad and also well known to Bayer 04 head coach Kasper Hjulmand. Like striker Andreas Cornelius, Delaney played under Hjulmand for the Danish national team at Euro 2020 and World Cup 2022.

Copenhagen head coach Jacob Neestrup puts a lot of emphasis on defensive solidity, with his team conceding just once in UCL qualifying. There's still plenty of quality in attack, though. As well as Cornelius and Moukoko, experienced duo Viktor Claesson and Mohamed Elyounoussi also offer considerable goal threat. Read more about our first Champions League opponents in the extensive opposition report!

'Sound of Dreams': the tour pass for the UCL!

Together with the Bayer 04 fans, the Werkself are turning the Champions League into a festival under the motto of 'Sound of Dreams – #aCROSS Europe 2025/26'. As well as a dedicated UCL Spotify playlist, there's also an exclusive tour pass for the new season of Europe's premier club competition, which all Bayer 04 club members can secure at the Fanwelt. During the weeks of the individual Champions League matches, Tour Pass holders can also get the matching stickers in the Fanwelt and secure great prizes at the end of the league phase.

1,100 Fans in Copenhagen – Fan info and travel tips

The Werkself can look forward to the vocal support of 1,100 fans at Parken Stadium. For those travelling, the fan info has everything you need to know!

And for those who are attending the game and would also like to explore the city of Copenhagen, Bayer 04 partner weloveholidays has put together the best tips for the top attractions in the Danish capital HERE.

Aliyar Aghayev in charge

Azerbaijani official Aliyar Aghayev, who's been a FIFA referee since 2013, has overseen just one match involving the Werkself before - when Bayer 04 lost 3-2 at FC Zürich in the UEFA Europa League in October 2018. The hosts have more recent memories of the 37-year-old, as Aghayev refereed their Champions League home game against Borussia Dortmund in November 2022, which ended 1-1. 

Assisting him for his second match at Parken on Thursday evening will be compatriots Zeynal Zeynalov and Akif Amirali as well as fourth official Elchin Masiyev. Rob Dieperink (Netherlands) and Alen Borosak (Slovenia) are the video assistants.

On DAZN and Werkself Radio

The Werkself's opening Champions League fixture will be broadcast live by DAZN in Germany. As ever, Werkself Radio will also be there. The audio broadcast starts 30 minutes before kick-off with commentary provided by Niko Hartmann and Florian Bechholz. In addition, you can stay up to date with the live text on bayer04.de and in the Bayer 04 app.