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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.”
A disciplined defensive performance in the second leg saw Bayer 04 prevail against Olympiacos in the play-offs of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26. Thanks to the 2-0 away win in the first leg, the goalless draw at home at the BayArena was enough to ensure progress to the next round. The Black and Reds kept their opponents away from their goal for the best part of 90 minutes.
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Bayer 04 can go through to the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League for the ninth time tonight, 24 February (kick-off: 21:00 CET) and be in the top 16 clubs in Europe. A good omen: Leverkusen have progressed to the next round after winning the first leg in 20 of their 22 knockout rounds in European competitions to date. For their part, Greek record champions Olympiacos rested several players for last weekend’s league fixture ahead of the play-off second leg at the BayArena and will now do everything in their power to turn the tide with their usual aggressive and high pressing. The discussions on Werkself radio are likely to be just as intense as the battle on the pitch, with commentator Florian Bechholz welcoming honorary captain Stefan Kießling and goalkeeper Mark Flekken. Today’s matchday news.
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With the advantage of the 2-0 first-leg win in the play-offs, the Werkself are looking to book their place in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League at the sold-out BayArena. Ahead of the home game against Olympiacos on Tuesday, 24 February (kick-off: 21:00 CET), coach Kasper Hjulmand and goalkeeper Janis Blaswich spoke about the position ahead of the match, the visitors' strength at set-pieces and a personnel issue for the home side.
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With a win in the Greek Super League last weekend, Olympiacos achieved success on the pitch ahead of the UEFA Champions League play-off second leg at Bayer 04 on Tuesday, 24 February (kick-off: 21:00 CET). Coach José Luis Mendilibar rested many of his regular starters.
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