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Since the start of the week, the focus has exclusively been on the first leg against AS Roma as the Werkself captain Lukas Hradecky explained before his first European semi-final: “In football it goes on and on. We face a big match on an impressive stage where we want to achieve a good position for the second leg at home in Leverkusen.”
Asked about AS Roma offensive star Paulo Dybala, who has 18 goal involvements in Serie A, goalkeeper Hradecky declared: “I look at each opponent in detail. Roma have a lot of good players who never give up and keep on fighting. Regardless of who plays tomorrow night – we can expect a big challenge.
Hradecky and Co. have shown over recent weeks that they are ready both in the Bundesliga and in the Europa League. “We’ve developed well. Bayern, Leipzig – we showed we can beat anyone,” added Hradecky. “We want to show that again against Roma.”
Xabi Alonso will meet his former manager José Mourinho for the first time as a coach on Thursday night. Mourinho coached him at Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013. “Of course, it’s special for me to play against him. I had a great time with him and I learned a lot from him. Mourinho knows how to inspire a team and he was always a leader,” explained Alonso. “I’m looking forward to seeing him. But when the game starts I will be completely focused on the events on the pitch and I will dedicate all my energy exclusively to working with my team.”
Alonso’s opposite number Mourinho earlier praised the defensive work and the counter attacking game of the Werkself. Alonso welcomed the statements of the 60-year-old Portuguese ahead of the match. The Spaniard: “Roma also have their strengths in fast transition and, above all, at set pieces. But we are ready for their approach to the game.”
There’s lots going on at the BayArena today. The home game against FSV Mainz 05 is all about the numerous Bayer 04 fan clubs, whose birth - the founding of the "1. Fanclub 1976 Leverkusen" - dates back 50 years. A number of fan club representatives will be involved in awards, a banner display and a half-time matchday chat, and the Werkself are set to play in a special white fan club jersey. During half-time, Leverkusen mayor Stefan Hebbel and javelin world champion Steffi Nerius will also talk about the Olympic bid involving Leverkusen. Black and Red fans are advised to get to the stadium in good time today. Matchday news.
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The Werkself host Premier League club Arsenal in the Round of 16 first leg in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign. The match at the BayArena is on 10/11 March. Read on for information on ticket sales for this fixture.
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The draw for the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 was made today, Friday 27 February: Bayer 04 face Premier League leaders Arsenal. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes sees the English team as a "top opponent" and is looking forward to meeting former Werkself players Kai Havertz and Piero Hincapie again.
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After three consecutive victories, FSV Mainz 05 recently suffered setbacks against Borussia Dortmund (0-4) and Hamburger SV (1-1) in the battle to stay up. Nevertheless, the Mainz 05 performance curve has shown a clear upward trend in recent weeks. Their coach and a former Leverkusen player in particular have played a decisive role in this. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without Spanish player Lucas Vázquez for the time being. The experienced full-back and winger suffered an injury to his right calf during the Werkself's Champions League match against Olympiacos (0-0) on Tuesday.
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