
Under the motto “Sound of Dreams – #aCROSS Europe 2025/26,” the Werkself are turning Europe’s elite club competition into a festival in the play-offs too – and the Bayer 04 fans can be there live! After the successful league phase with the corresponding tour pass and the subsequent raffle, attractive souvenirs in the form of stylish festival tickets await supporters at the Fanwelt in the south stand at the BayArena for the two matches against Olympiacos.
Club members can purchase these exclusively from 18 to 28 February, take part in the raffle using the QR code printed on the ticket and, with a little luck, soon get a record cover in the ‘Sound of Dreams’ look signed by a Werkself pro.
With about 72 percent possession, a pass rate of almost 86 percent and 17 shots to Olympiacos’ six. There was little on paper for the Werkself to complain about in terms of play in their last match in Athens, but the hosts came out on top due to superior efficiency. Boosted by the victories over Kairat and Bayer 04, Olympiacos went on to beat Ajax in their final league phase fixture and now have the chance to win four games in a row in the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history. José Luis Mendilibar’s team might once again rely on their high and intense press, which they’ve mastered like no other side in the Champions League, boasting the most high ball wins in the competition so far (90).
The Black and Reds will aim to neutralise the press through control and precise passing. Aleix García might play a key role once again. The midfielder, who knows Olympiacos coach Mendilibar from their days at Spanish side Eibar, has played the most line-breaking passes (133) so far in the current Champions League campaign and will be looking to set up his teammates once again on Wednesday night.
The Greeks turned in strong displays towards the end of the league phase but can’t be satisfied with their recent performances in the domestic Super League. The Red and Whites, who have also been eliminated from the Greek Cup, have only won one of their last four matches. “We get nervous when we concede goals,” Mendilibar said after the most recent 1-0 defeat in the city derby against Panathinaikos. The Werkself will aim to cause unrest, but they’ll be up against a combative defence featuring Olympiacos captain and former Bayer 04 man Panagiotis Retsos once again. Our detailed opposition profile reveals how Olympiacos aim to overcome Bayer 04.

Around 500 Bayer 04 fans have made the trip to Athens once again to support the Werkself at the Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis.
João Pinheiro will officiate a match involving the Werkself for the second time this Champions League campaign. Bayer 04 have very fond memories of the first such match, as they won 2-0 away at Manchester City on Matchday 5 of the league phase. Pinheiro’s assistants will be his compatriots Bruno Jesus and Luciano Maia, with Tiago Martins, also from Portugal, in action as the VAR.


The Germany U19 team were beaten 2-0 by record champions Spain in the final of the U19 European Championship in Wales. Bayer 04 players Montrell Culbreath and Francis Onyeka (on loan at SV 07 Elversberg) were in the starting line-up and played the full 90 minutes.
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Bayer 04 Women have boosted their firepower with the signing of Poland international Paulina Tomasiak. The 24-year-old striker moves to Leverkusen from Gornik Leczna in her homeland on a two-year contract.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed France U17 international Kenan Doganay. The 1.90-metre-tall defensive midfielder, who has Turkish roots, joins Leverkusen from the U19s at French top-flight club Olympique Lyon. He will initially train with and play for the U19 team.
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The Sports Tribunal of the German Football Association (DFB) has fined Bayer 04 Leverkusen €185,000 for spectators setting off pyrotechnic devices during a total of five competitive matches. This relates to four Bundesliga matches and the DFB Pokal semi-final against Bayern Munich. The highest individual fine relates to the away match at FC Köln at the end of April.
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