The Werkself could reach the final of a major European competition for the third time in the club's history today, having previously achieved this in 1987/88 in the UEFA Cup and in the 2001/02 UEFA Champions League.
Roma, meanwhile, could become the third team to reach the UEFA Europa League final in consecutive seasons after Benfica (2012/13 and 2013/14) and Sevilla (2013/14, 2014/15 and 2015/16). To do that, the Italian club will have to improve on their record on German soil: Roma have not won any of their previous six European away games against German sides, scoring just six goals in the process.
After the semi-final first leg, Roma were back in league action on Sunday at home to Juventus. With a much-changed starting line-up, including a completely reshaped defence, the Giallorossi drew 1-1 with the third-placed 'Old Lady', Romelu Lukaku scoring the goal for the hosts. Given the tight situation in the Serie A table, the point wasn't enough for coach Daniele De Rossi, "because a draw doesn't help us currently". The result saw AS slip from the fifth Champions League spot to sixth as rivals Atalanta won their match. There's more on Roma in our opposition check.
For Bayer 04 fans attending the second leg, there'll be a fan fest on Rathaus-Platz in Wiesdorf from 13:30, organised by the Nordkurve12 fan group. As well as atmospheric music, there'll be cold drinks and a range of food on offer. The event will finish around 18:30 with a march to the BayArena.
Danny Makkelie from the Netherlands is the referee for tonight's encounter. The 41-year-old official will be assisted by compatriots Hessel Steegstra and Jan de Vries on the touchlines and Rob Dieperink as the VAR.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended Abdoulaye Faye’s contract by a further year to 30 June 2031. During the 2026/27 season, the talented defender will play for Celta Vigo on loan without an option to buy. The 21-year-old Senegalese is set to feature in La Liga and the UEFA Europa League with last season’s sixth-placed side in Spain.
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The Werkself's training camp in Weimarer Land all in one place: in our daily blog you'll find all the insights and updates from the day. The programme on day one (Sunday 2 August) includes a media round with managing director sport Simon Rolfes, free time for the team after the friendly against Rot-Weiss Essen and before an intensive week of training begins, as well as a coffee get-together where CEO Fernando Carro and Rolfes met around 100 fans in the afternoon.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed Kerim Alajbegovic’s transfer to Italian record champions Juventus. The club brought the 18-year-old attacking player back to Leverkusen this summer via a buy-back option, following a season at Red Bull Salzburg. Until his move to Austria, the Bosnia international had been playing for Bayer 04’s Under-19s.
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A warm welcome to the Weimarer Land, Bayer 04! The Werkself moved into their accommodation for this year’s training camp on Saturday evening. In Blankenhain, Thuringia, head coach Carles Martínez’s team have a programme of gruelling training sessions – several of which will be open to fans – and team-building activities lined up for the next six days. We’ll be following the Werkself up close and providing you with exclusive insights, quotes, photos and videos from the training camp.
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With 22 days to go until the start of the Bundesliga campaign, the Bayer 04 Women’s team have gained a fresh boost of confidence. In a friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk on Saturday afternoon, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team secured a 1–0 win. Lobke Loonen (20’) scored the winner for the Black and Reds at the Kurtekotten training centre.
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