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

Women - 04.11.2025

‘Get a fresh team on the pitch’: Women welcome promoted team HSV

Three days after their convincing 4-2 victory at FC Carl Zeiss Jena, the Bayer 04 Women are once again favourites for their next Bundesliga fixture. On Wednesday, 5 November (19:00 CET), the Werkself welcome promoted Hamburger SV to the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The match will take place as part of Bayer 04's Health Weeks - with a focus on organ donation.

Champions League - 04.11.2025

Tickets for the UCL home game against Newcastle United

The Werkself host Premier League club Newcastle United on matchday 6 in the league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign. The match at the BayArena is on Wednesday, 10 December, at 21:00 CET. Read on for information on ticket sales for this fixture.

DFB-Pokal - 02.11.2025

Bayer 04 to face Borussia Dortmund in 2025/26 DFB Pokal last 16

Bayer 04 have been drawn away from home at Borussia Dortmund in the round of 16 of the 2025/26 DFB Pokal following Sunday’s draw in the German Football Museum in Dortmund. The game will be played on either 2 or 3 December, with the German FA to confirm the dates of all fixtures in the coming days.

Women - 02.11.2025

Bayer 04 Women get back to winning ways in Jena

Bayer 04 Women moved up to third place in the Bundesliga table, overnight at least, thanks to a commanding 4-2 win away at Carl Zeiss Jena on Sunday afternoon. An own goal by the hosts, Caroline Kehrer, Valentina Mädl and Vanessa Fudalla secured the Werkself their fifth win of the season on Matchday 8.