Bayer Leverkusen begin their UEFA Europa League league stage campaign on Wednesday (19:00 UTC) with a home match against NK Celje. The Slovenian champions visit the BayArena for the opener, with Die Werkself coming into the European season off the back of a 2-2 draw at Augsburg.
Xabi Alonso's side currently sit seventh in the Bundesliga with four points from three games. Their recent form shows three wins, one draw and one loss from the last five competitive matches. This includes the 4-0 home victory over Union Berlin and the 2-1 win at Newcastle in the final Champions League qualifying round.
Team news for the opener
Montrell Culbreath, Nathan Tella and Kennet Eichhorn are sidelined with injuries. Against Augsburg, Alonso deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation with Mark Flekken in goal and a back four of Joel Quansah, Edmond Tapsoba, Facundo Medina and Miguel Gutiérrez. Ezequiel Fernández and Aleix García operated in defensive midfield, with the attack consisting of Moussa Diaby, Iker Maza and Afonso Moreira behind striker Christian Kofane.
Opponents Celje last played a competitive match in December 2025, a 0-0 draw against Shelbourne in the Conference League. Their preparation for a return to European competition is therefore an unknown quantity. For Bayer Leverkusen, following the Europa League match is a Bundesliga home game against fifth-placed RB Leipzig on Sunday.
