The only previous competitive encounters between Feyenoord and the Werkself came in the 1987/88 UEFA Cup as Leverkusen progressed 3-2 on aggregate in the round of 16 en route to lifting the trophy.
Tonight’s game is being played at the legendary Stadion Feijenoord, better known as De Kuip, which translates as ‘the tub’ due to the shape of its roof. It’s the second largest stadium in the Netherlands and holds the record for hosting the most European finals with 10 across the European Cup, UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, UEFA Cup, European Championship, and most recently the 2023 UEFA Nations League final.
Like Bayer 04, Feyenoord have also won silverware already this season as the Eredivisie runners-up and KNVB Cup winners beat champions PSV Eindhoven on penalties to lift the Dutch Super Cup.
Feyenoord are one of Dutch football’s biggest names alongside the likes of Ajax and PSV. They won their 16th league title in 2022/23 before finishing second last term. It’s their seventh participation in the Champions League. They are yet to lose in the Eredivisie this season and are unbeaten in 24 across multiple seasons, but they have only won one of their fixtures so far this term, drawing the other three to sit sixth in the table. Find out more about Feyenoord in our in-depth analysis.
Due to the potentially heated nature of this match, Bayer 04 asks all fans to behave peacefully and responsibly in the stadium and in the Rotterdam city area. Bayer 04 would also ask all fans to behave in a level-headed manner in the run-up to the match to prevent conflict situations from arising in the first place. The following conditions are to be expected on site:
Bayer 04 will do everything in its power to make the match an atmospheric and, above all, peaceful football festival. Together with hosts Feyenoord, with whom Bayer 04 has a trusting relationship, the support of the fans is also requested.
A total of 2,500 fans are expected to make the trip from Leverkusen to Rotterdam. The Bayer 04 fan liaison team have put together key information on the game for travelling supporters. Find out more HERE.
Those fans who can’t be in Rotterdam can follow updates from the build-up to the game in our live blog HERE.
UEFA have appointed Davide Massa as tonight’s referee. The 43-year-old Italian has overseen three previous Werkself fixtures, with a win, draw and loss each. His assistants are compatriots Filippo Meli and Stefano Alassio. The VAR is Aleandro Di Paolo.
Werkself Radio is available for anyone unable to be at the game. The German audio broadcast starts 30 minutes before kick-off with commentary provided by Niko Hartmann Cedric Pick. In addition, the live text update service will keep fans up to date on bayer04.de and the Bayer 04 app.
Edmond Tapsoba has signed an early extension to his contract with Bayer 04 Leverkusen. With two years left on his current deal, the 27-year-old Burkina Faso international has extended his contract until 30 June 2031. The centre-back joined as a young talent from Portuguese top-flight club Vitoria Guimaraes at the start of 2020.
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A special surprise: during the preview for the 'Fierté Burkinabè' documentary about Edmond Tapsoba, Bayer 04 directors Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes announced Tapsoba's contract extension until 2031 together with the centre-back. He then spoke to Werkself-TV about his time in Leverkusen so far and future ambitions...
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This evening was deeply moving: At a really special setting, Bayer 04 exclusively presented the specially produced documentary ‘Fierté Burkinabè’ ("Burkinabe Pride") about Edmond Tapsoba on Tuesday. For the preview at the BayArena, the parents of the Werkself player and other close companions travelled all the way from his African homeland Burkina Faso. The 45-minute film shows Tapsoba's extraordinary career from his beginnings in Ouagadougou to Leverkusen as well as the work of his foundation "Fondation Edmond Tapsoba", with representatives from Burkina Faso also present. Fans can watch the documentary free of charge on Werkself TV and YouTube from Wednesday night at 20:00 CEST.
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Bayer 04 have signed left-back Carolin Simon from champions Bayern Munich for the coming season. The 33-year-old former Germany international, who played for Leverkusen from 2013 to 2016, has signed a contract to 30 June 2028.
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Bayer 04 Women have strengthened for the coming season with the signing of Lobke Loone. The 23-year-old Dutch striker joins from Utrecht on a contract until 30 June 2028.
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