10.12.2021Europa League

UEFA Europa League: The next steps for the Werkself

Bayer 04 secured top spot in Group G ahead of the final Europa League group match away to Ferencváros. That means the Werkself go straight through to the Round of 16 and avoid the second group stage. We explain the next steps for the team under head coach Gerardo Seoane and look forward to possible opponents in the last 16.

What is the current situation?

The group stage of the Europa League is over. Bayer 04 and the other seven top teams are through to the Round of 16 and thereby avoid the Round of 32. The first leg of the Round of 16 will be played on Thursday, 10 March 2022. The second leg matches will be played a week later.

What happens up to the Round of 16?

The second group stage will be played – without Bayer 04. The second-placed teams in the Europa League will face the third-placed teams in the Champions League groups on 17 and 24 February. The winners of those matches go through to the Round of 16 where they will play the eight group winners from the Europa League (including the Werkself).

Potential Round of 16 opponents?

The draw for the Europa League Round of 16, set to be held on 25 February, excludes two clubs from the same country playing each other. Accordingly, there are the following 14 possible opponents for the Werkself in the Round of 16:

Second-placed teams from the Europa League: Rangers, Real Sociedad, Napoli, Olympiakos, Lazio, Sporting Braga, Real Betis, Dinamo Zagreb.

Third-placed teams from the Champions League: FC Porto, FC Sheriff, Barcelona, Atalanta, FC Sevilla, Zenit St. Petersburg (not possible: Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig).

Europa League dates and fixtures:

13 December 2021: Draw for the second group stage (not involving Bayer 04)
17/24 February 2022: First and second legs of the second group stage (not involving Bayer 04)
25 February 2022: Round of 16 draw
10/17 March 2022: Round of 16 first and second legs
18 March 2022: Quarter-final draw and the route to the final
7/14 April 2022: Quarter-final first and second legs
28 April/5 May 2022: Semi-final first and second legs
18 May 2022: Final in Seville

Related News

Frauen beenden Saison nach Niederlage gegen Bremen auf Platz fünf | 26. Spieltag

Werkself-TV - 17.05.2026

Women: TV-highlights of 1-3 loss against Werder Bremen

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 1-3 loss against Werder Bremen on the 26th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.

Women - 17.05.2026

Bayer 04 agree contract extension with U23 international Sofie Zdebel ahead of schedule

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed a conract extension with home-grown talent Sofie Zdebel by a further year ahead of schedule. The 21-year-old Germany U23 international will stay at the club until 30 June 2028.

Bundesliga - 16.05.2026

Werkself finish Bundesliga in sixth place after 1-1 draw with Hamburg

Bayer 04 could only manage a 1-1 draw at home to Hamburg in the final game of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season as they finish in sixth place and qualify for the UEFA Europa League. Patrik Schick missed a first-half penalty before Fabio Vieira put the visitors ahead on the hour. Jarell Quansah’s deflected header in the 79th minute earned a point to finish the campaign.

Bayer 04 - 16.05.2026

Bayer 04 says goodbye to Jonas Omlin

Jonas Omlin was given an official send-off ahead of the final Bundesliga game of the season at home to Hamburg. The 32-year-old Swiss goalkeeper joined the Werkself on loan for the second half of the campaign from Borussia Mönchengladbach in the winter.