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16.09.2025U19

"Great start": Brok ahead of maiden outing in Youth League opener in Copenhagen

Leverkusen's 2025/26 UEFA Youth League opener at FC Copenhagen also marks Kevin Brok's first game as the Bayer 04 U19 head coach. And the Dutchman has a lot planned for the match in Denmark on Thursday, 18 September (kick-off: 13:45 pm at Tingbjerg Idrætspark/livestream on bayer04.de and on the Bayer 04 app), despite the short preparation time with his new team. He is also relying on the close dialogue with colleagues in Bayer 04's youth academy.
U19-Cheftrainer Kevin Brok

Kevin Brok has three sessions with the U19s on the training ground in Leverkusen before the trip to Denmark begins. No problem, as the 35-year-old emphasised in the run-up to the opener in Copenhagen: "Of course, I won't be doing everything differently now. But we don't want to do that either. The idea of the game, principles and structures have been laid down by the club and we'll stick to them. What's more, Sergi (Runge, now assistant coach with the senior team, ed) has done a great job." Brok continued: "For us these days, it's more about the details, which, as we know, always relate to the opponents to some extent. That's what we're concentrating on, while always focussing on our own strengths and ideas."

Opening opponents FC Copenhagen are currently top of the table in the Danish U19 league with ten out of a possible twelve points. At the start of the season, 35-year-old Dane Sune Holmgren took over the U19s after twelve years of coaching FC Copenhagen youngsters, following on from former Denmark international Morten Bisgaard. The top scorer both in the team and in the U19 league is 17-year-old Icelandic striker Viktor Dadason, who has scored five goals in four games.

 

U19-Training

Brok: "the highest Level in youth teams"

For Brok, who worked at PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands before moving to Leverkusen in the summer of 2024, the Youth League is "the highest level for youth teams. I'm very excited about this opportunity and I'm really looking forward to a great start with the team!"

Brok coached a lot of players from the current U19 squad in the club’s U17 squad last term, so he is very familiar with them and the other players. "We have a very close and regular dialogue in the youth section, and we will certainly be able to benefit from that now," said Brok, looking ahead to his first U19 game in the dugout.

Bayer 04 fans wanting to watch the Youth League clash in Copenhagen must purchase tickets online in advance (click here for tickets). The stadium opens one hour before kick-off at 12:45 CEST. Drinks and snacks can be paid for by credit card at the stadium.

Live stream on bayer04.de and on the Bayer 04 App

The first Youth League clash of the season will be broadcast live on bayer04.de and on the Bayer 04 app. Niko Hartmann from Werkself Radio will be in action as the match commentator.

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