The Werkself, in Group D, play the Italian serial champions with Cristiano Ronaldo, the runners-up in La Liga and the Russian league runners-up. The first matchday is on 17/18 September. The group stage is concluded on 10/11 December
Head coach Peter Bosz: "We are happy about this group draw. They are very, very strong teams that we’re up against. But that was clear to us from the start in this competition. A great challenge for us. Now it's down to us to master this challenge."
Rudi Völler, sporting managing director: "It's a highly attractive but also, of course, an extremely difficult group. We can look forward to fantastic Champions League nights. In Juve and Atlético we’ve been drawn against two absolutely top European teams and Locomotiv Moscow also have high quality as the runners-up in Russia. We will give everything we can to go through to the Round of 16."
Sporting director Simon Rolfes: "It's a top group with top teams. We played Atletico in the Round of 16 in the 2016/17 Champions League campaign – they were great games. Of course, Juventus with Cristiano Ronaldo is a dream for our fans. And Russian teams are always dangerous and Lokomotiv Moscow are no exception. But I'm sure we will be a tough proposition for our opponents. Now we want to do all we can to have a successful group stage."
Group D
Matchday 1: Bayer 04 Leverkusen v Lokomotiv Moscow on 18 September (Kick-off: 21:00 CET)
Matchday 2: Juventus v Bayer 04 Leverkusen on 1 October (Kick-off: 21:00)
Matchday 3: Atlético Madrid v Bayer 04 Leverkusen on 22 October (Kick-off: 18:55 CET)
Matchday 4: Bayer 04 Leverkusen v Atlético Madrid on 6 November (Kick-off: 21:00)
Matchday 5: Lokomotiv Moscow v Bayer 04 Leverkusen on 26 November (Kick-off: 18:55 CET)
Matchday 6: Bayer 04 Leverkusen v Juventus on 11 December (Kick-off: 21:00 CET)
Information on Ticket advance booking.
Fixed information to follow.
In mid-August, the Werkself will set off on a four-day trip to England to play their final two friendly matches of the 2026/27 pre-season against Premier League clubs Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United. The match in Nottingham against the Tricky Trees is on Wednesday 12 August at 20:45 CEST (19:45 BST) at the City Ground. The game against the Magpies in Newcastle is on Saturday 15 August at 16:00 CEST (15:00 BST) at the atmospheric St James’ Park. Details on ticket sales for both matches.
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