
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.
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."
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

A special visit to the BayArena: 222 members from volunteer fire brigades in Leverkusen, the Rheinisch-Bergisch district and the Oberbergisch district watched the Werkself’s 2–0 home win over Slovenian champions NK Celje live in the stadium. Bayer 04 had invited them to the 2026/27 Europa League opener as a thank-you for their tremendous dedication. They watched the match together in Block F4.
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The Bayer 04 U19s have extended their winning run with a fifth consecutive victory on Matchday 5 of the DFB Youth League’s preliminary round. Coach Patrick Greveraars’ side secured a 3–2 (2–1) win in their match against second-placed FC Viktoria Köln, with Burak Kir and Nebe Domnic scoring for the hosts in the first half before captain Ben Hawighorst found the net after the break.
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Bayer 04 will have to manage without defender Guéla Doué for the time being. The Ivory Coast international sustained a muscle injury to his right calf during the final Werkself training session yesterday ahead of the Europa League clash with Slovenian champions NK Celje.
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For the first time since reaching the final against AS Roma (2–2, first leg 2–0) in May 2024, Bayer 04 are playing another home match in the UEFA Europa League – and they will be wearing their new European kit. On Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the BayArena will welcome Slovenian champions NK Celje, who appointed a new coach this week following a mixed start to the season. Under the slogan “40 Years Across Europe. Still Creating History.”, the Black and Reds now aim to add the next chapter to their European history, which has seen so much success in recent years. Bayer 04 fans can follow the match on free-to-air TV on RTL, as well as on Sky and Werkself Radio. The matchday news.
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European football returns to the BayArena: Bayer 04 host Slovenian champions NK Celje on matchday 1 in the group stage of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. Ahead of the match on Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), head coach Carles Martínez and midfielder Aleix Garcia spoke at the pre-match press conference. The focus was primarily on the great anticipation surrounding the competition and the clear objectives for it – and, given the circumstances, on a last-minute change to the opposition line-up.
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