Bayer Leverkusen has been handed a relatively favorable start to the new Europa League season. UEFA published the schedule for the league phase on Saturday evening, and the Werkself will begin their campaign at home against NK Celje of Slovenia on September 16 at 21:00.
German football news outlet kicker reported the confirmed dates on Saturday. For coach Carles Martinez and his squad, who finished fifth in the final Bundesliga table last season, this is the first step in a long European autumn. The BayArena side scored 59 goals while conceding 39 last term, amassing 52 points from 29 games.
Following the opener against Celje, Leverkusen face two away matches in the early evening slot. They travel to Poland to face Lech Poznan on October 15. Just one week later, on October 22, the team heads to Heraklion in Crete to take on the local side Iraklion. Both away fixtures are scheduled for 18:45.
The first three opponents hail from pots 3 and 4, suggesting a manageable task on paper. The sterner tests arrive in November and January. Bayer Leverkusen hosts French top club Olympique Marseille in a 21:00 kick-off on November 5. The return leg in Lyon is scheduled for the final matchday, January 28.
The start of the European campaign does not come under ideal circumstances for Leverkusen. The squad is currently hampered by several absences. Arthur, Kennet Eichhorn, Martin Terrier, and Montrell Culbreath are currently sidelined with injuries. The latest update on the personnel issues is documented on our injuries page.
These absences will complicate rotation during the congested fixture period. Before the Europa League begins, a Bundesliga home match against Union Berlin awaits on September 5. Berlin currently sits in 11th place. A complete overview of the upcoming fixtures is available on our fixtures page.
As the other German participant, TSG Hoffenheim faces a demanding initial phase. They play their first match away in Crete on September 17. Subsequently, they have home games against Besiktas Istanbul (October 15), Olympique Lyon (October 22), and Crystal Palace (November 5) within just four weeks.
A clear pattern in kick-off times is notable. All of Hoffenheim's away matches in the Europa League are set for 18:45, while all their home games begin at 21:00. This creates a certain routine for players and fans but also presents a logistical challenge for travel.
Finishing 24 points behind champions Bayern Munich last season, Bayer Leverkusen clearly has room for improvement. European competition offers a chance to shape the season positively and regain international prestige. The final Bundesliga standings from last season can be reviewed on our standings page.
The early schedule with seemingly more manageable opponents gives Carles Martinez's team an opportunity to build momentum and confidence before the tougher challenges like Marseille and Lyon arrive. The injury problems need to be resolved quickly to ensure the necessary squad depth for the dual burden of league and Europe. The coming weeks will show if the Werkself can capitalize on this advantageous starting position.
