UEFA Europa League: Werkself face Qarabag in last 16
The draw for the round of 16 of the 2023/24 UEFA Europa League was made on Friday, pairing Bayer 04 with Azerbaijani club Qarabag FK, who the Werkself already met in the group stage.
Fernando Carro, CEO of Bayer 04, said on the draw: "It's a long journey but we're looking forward to the round of 16. We have a good and close relationship with Qarabag and the club's management. They played well in the play-off against Braga. We'll have to take them very seriously and remain as focused as we have been to date."
Simon Rolfes, managing director for sport: "It a familiar opponent for us but certainly not an easy one. Qarabag are a strong side, as they proved in the group stage just gone. The way they turned it around late on in the play-off against Braga deserves great respect. We'll approach this task with a high level of concentration in order to qualify for the quarter-finals over two challenging legs."
Qarabag finished second in Group H behind Bayer 04 and qualified for the round of 16 by beating Portuguese side Braga in the knockout round play-offs. It's the first time Qarabag have reached the last 16 of a UEFA competition.
The first leg will be played in Baku on Thursday 7 March, with the return leg a week later at the BayArena on Thursday 14 March. The exact kick-off times will be announced on the club's channels as soon as they're confirmed. Ticket information for both games will also follow in due course.
The Europa League quarter-finals take place on 11 and 18 April, the semi-finals on 2 and 9 May. The final in Dublin takes place on 22 May.
The round of 16 draw in full
Sparta Praha vs. Liverpool
Olympique Marseille vs. Villarreal CF
AS Roma vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
Benfica vs. Rangers
SC Freiburg vs. West Ham United
Sporting Lisbon vs. Atalanta
AC Milan vs. Slavia Praha
Qarabag vs. Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Related News
Werkself-TV - 18.06.2026
Afonso Moreira: First interview and exclusive footage 🎥👋
From his arrival at the airport, the medical and contract signing, right through to photo shoots, his very own trading card and his first interview at the BayArena: Werkself TV followed new signing Afonso Moreira up close on his first day in Leverkusen. In the interview, the 21-year-old Portuguese left-winger, who has joined the Werkself from Lyon, talks about his excitement ahead of joining Bayer 04 and the Bundesliga, as well as his conversation with head coach Carles Martínez. Moreira also reveals the secret behind his iconic goal celebration – which he intends to perform “as often as possible” at the BayArena next season...
Show more
U19 - 18.06.2026
Bayer 04 sign Clinton Wilson from Schalke 04
A new signing for the U19s: Bayer 04 have signed winger Clinton Wilson from Schalke 04. The 18-year-old previously played for Leverkusen youth teams from January to June 2024.
Show more
Women - 17.06.2026
Ida Daedelow signs for VfL Bochum
After eight years, Ida Daedelow is set to leave Bayer 04 Leverkusen. The 18-year-old, whose original contract was due to run to 2027, is joining second-division side VfL Bochum.
Show more
Youth - 16.06.2026
Youth: Coaching line-ups for U11 to U15 teams in 2026/27
As with the other youth teams (U16 to U19), Bayer 04 are also relying on familiar faces—some in new roles—and fresh impetus from the coaching staff for the 2026/27 season in the younger age groups. An overview of the U11 to U15 teams.
Show more
