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.
A new look and new kit supplier for the 2025/26 campaign: Bayer 04 in tandem with sports equipment manufacturer New Balance present the official kit for the Leverkusen eSports players the coming season. New partner Sinology appears on the top right of the jersey. Menswear outfitters Lerros is still the main eSports sponsor and Niedax remains the sleeve partner. The jersey is available now from the Bayer 04 online shop and the Fanwelt.
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Bosnia U19 international Kerim Alajbegovic is moving from Bayer 04 Leverkusen's youth set-up to Red Bull Salzburg. The talented attacking midfielder has signed a long-term contract with the Austrian club. At the same time, the works club secured a buy-back option for the 17-year-old, who was one of the mainstays of the Leverkusen U19s.
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Preparations for the 2025/26 season at Bayer 04 start next Monday, 7 July, with the first team and youth players training together. Without the international players who were involved with their national teams at the end of last season, new head coach Erik ten Hag will welcome a group of senior and youth players to the first open training session one week ahead of the departure to the training camp in Rio de Janeiro. After the official welcome in the dressing room, the Werkself players will start the session in the shadow of the BayArena on 7 July at 14:00 CEST.
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The Werkself are away to Premier League club Chelsea in the final pre-season friendly. The game against the current holders of the UEFA Conference League is on Friday, 8 August at Stamford Bridge with the kick-off at 20:00 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales.
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