Europa League: Werkself face Atalanta in Round of 16
Bayer 04 meet Italian club Atalanta in the UEFA Europa League Round of 16. That was the outcome of the draw held at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon on Friday afternoon, 25 February.
The former goalkeeper Andrés Palop, in the Werkself squad in 2013/14, helped draw out the clubs. The first leg will be played on 10 March and the return match is a week later on 17 March. Bayer 04 are away first.
Rolfes: "one of the top matches"
Fernando Carro, Bayer 04 CEO, commented on the draw: "Atalanta are a good opponent, it's always difficult to play against Italian teams." However, the 57-year-old is confident. Carro continued: "I'm optimistic we will successfully master this hurdle and put ourselves in a good position in the first leg away from home."
Sporting director Simon Rolfes added: "Atalanta are one of the best teams in Italy and have developed really well in recent years. They like to get forward and they score lots of goals. For me, this tie is one of the top matches in this round." The future Leverkusen sporting managing director set out the target: "Our aim is to go through. We are at home in the second leg and I'm hoping we can fill the stadium by that time."
ticket information
Away tickets for the first leg of the Round of 16 in Bergamo (10 March) go on sale on Monday 7 March. Tickets for the second leg at the BayArena (17 March) are available from Tuesday 8 March.
Round of 16:
Rangers vs Red Star Belgrade
Sporting Braga vs AS Monaco
FC Porto vs Lyon
Atalanta vs Bayer 04 Leverkusen
FC Sevilla vs West Ham United
FC Barcelona vs Galatasaray
RB Leipzig vs Spartak Moscow
Real Betis vs Eintracht Frankfurt
Related News
Bayer 04 - 14.07.2026
Tickets for the friendly fixtures in Nottingham and Newcastle
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.
Show more
Bayer 04 - 14.07.2026
Bayer 04 congratulate three female apprentices on successfully completing their apprenticeships
Black and Red talent development at the highest level – even off the pitch: Apprentices Jule Suermann, Leandra Bellia and Julia Niederheide have successfully completed their two- or three-year apprenticeships at the club. Bayer 04 honoured the trio at the BayArena on Tuesday.
Show more
Women - 13.07.2026
Return to Rieden: Bayer 04 Women’s team head to summer training camp in the Upper Palatinate
Rieden reloaded: Just like last year, the Bayer 04 Women’s team are spending their summer training camp in this idyllic corner of Bavaria. From this Sunday, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team will be based in Rieden in the Upper Palatinate for a week.
Show more
Bayer 04 - 13.07.2026
Ahead of open training session: Werkself undergo fitness assessments
Following the summer break, most of the players are back in Leverkusen. While two Bayer 04 first-team players are still in action at the World Cup, the players present officially kicked off the new season with fitness assessments. At the Werkstatt, the Bayer 04 rehabilitation and training centre, Robert Andrich, Edmond Tapsoba and the rest of the squad worked up quite a sweat in the sweltering summer heat. New signings Afonso Moreira and Kennet Eichhorn also successfully completed the day’s sessions alongside their new team-mates.
Show more
Bayer 04 - 13.07.2026
Coaching team led by head coach Carles Martínez confirmed
The Werkself return tomorrow, Tuesday 14 July (from 11:00 CEST at the BayArena; live stream on bayer04.de, the Bayer 04 app and YouTube), with new head coach Carles Martínez leading his first training session as part of the Bayer 04 set-up. His coaching team comprises a mix of new and long-standing colleagues.
Show more
