The Werkself are today aiming to qualify for a European semi-final for the first time since 2001/02. A note in the margins: Bayer 04 have won all of the last three second leg games on the road in the knockout stages of the Europa League - that includes the two second leg matches against AS Monaco (play-offs) and Ferencvaros (Round of 16) in the current campaign.
At the same time, the Werkself have not won any of the last three European away games (1 draw, 2 defeats). That also includes the 1-0 defeat to Club Brugge in this season’s Champions League group stage. The only away victory for Bayer 04 in Belgium was in the Champions League in November 1997 with a 2-0 win at Lierse SK.
For anyone unable to be at the game: RTL is showing the game live on Free TV with the broadcast starting at 20.15 CEST. As ever, Werkself Radio is also available. The audio broadcast starts 30 minutes before kick-off with commentary provided by Cedric Pick and Niko Hartmann. The live text update service will also ensure that you can keep up to speed with the game. Both Werkself Radio and the live text updates can be found at bayer04.de as well as on the Bayer 04 app – tune in.
UEFA has appointed Antonio Mateu Lahoz as the match referee. For the 46-year-old Spaniard, who has been in charge of three Champions League games this season, this is the third match involving the Werkself. He will be assisted by his fellow countrymen Pau Cebrian Devis and Roberto del Palomar with Ricardo de Burgos - also from Spain - in action as the VAR official.
Union Saint-Gilloise maintained their challenge for top spot in the Jupiler Pro League at the weekend with a 2-1 win against bottom-of-the-table RFC Seraing who are already relegated. However, the team in second place will need the help of RSC Charleroi in the final full matchday in the league on Sunday. Further information on the forthcoming opponents can be found in the lowdown on the next opponents.
Midfielder Ruby Grant is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and joining Portuguese runners-up Sporting CP a year before her contract expires. The 24-year-old has been at the Werkself since January 2025.
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Bayer 04 have loaned Brazilian full-back Arthur to Bundesliga side Werder Bremen for one year. Arthur Augusto de Matos Soares – the full name of the right-back – has a contract with Leverkusen until 30 June 2031. At Werder, the 23-year-old is expected to make an impact and help the long-established club further consolidate their position in the Bundesliga.
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Bayer 04 have loaned defender Jeanuel Belocian to Spanish top-flight side Racing Santander. The 21-year-old defender joins the team currently ninth in La Liga until the end of the current 2026/27 season. Belocian’s contract remains valid until 30 June 2029. Last season, the 1.86-metre-tall U21 international was loaned to VfL Wolfsburg for six months.
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He knows the dressing room, the pitch and the club. But, above all, he knows the feeling of playing for the Werkself at the BayArena: Moussa Diaby is back in Leverkusen after three years. The lightning-fast winger has signed a contract with Bayer 04 until 2031 and he will once again wear the number 19 jersey. The left-footed player previously played for the club from 2019 to 2023, having arrived in the Rhineland from his native France as a promising young talent and eventually leaving the club – having established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s best attackers – to join Aston Villa in the Premier League. Now he has returned to Bayer 04 from Al-Ittihad FC in Saudi Arabia.
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