Bayer Leverkusen has learned its opponents for the league phase of the 2026/27 Europa League. The draw on Friday yielded eight opponents, including Italian giants AC Milan.
The Werkself will host Milan, Sparta Prague, Crystal Palace, and Ararat-Armenia. Their away fixtures will take them to Leverkusen, Anderlecht, Celje, and Levski Sofia. The first matchday of the new league phase is scheduled for September 16th or 17th. For Bayer Leverkusen, this marks their first European campaign since finishing fifth in the 2025 Bundesliga season, which ended with 52 points and a record of 15 wins, seven draws, and seven losses.
The draw produced a challenging mix of European stalwarts and emerging teams. The pairing with AC Milan is undoubtedly the highlight of the group stage. The Rossoneri are one of the most successful clubs in European football. Another opponent from a top league is Crystal Palace from the English Premier League.
Other notable adversaries include Czech champions Sparta Prague and Belgian record champions RSC Anderlecht. The group is completed by NK Celje from Slovenia, Ararat-Armenia from Armenia, and Levski Sofia from Bulgaria. Leverkusen must also consider its squad situation while preparing for this diverse set of fixtures. Currently, several players including Arthur, Kennet Eichhorn, Martin Terrier, and Montrell Culbreath are sidelined with injuries.
The team under coach Xabi Alonso looks back on a solid, if not spectacular, second half of the past season. The last five league games before the season ended were unbeaten, with three wins and two draws. the team scored 59 goals and conceded 39 in the entire 2025 season, resulting in a positive goal difference of +20.
In the final Bundesliga standings, Leverkusen finished fifth with 52 points. This placed them 24 points behind champions Bayern Munich. These numbers highlight the path the club still has ahead to return to the absolute top group. Detailed team statistics provide a comprehensive overview.
The Europa League brings a significant additional load for the squad. The matches are spread across the entire first half of the season and must be coordinated with Bundesliga duties. The European debut in mid-September falls into an already busy period.
Before that, the Bundesliga home game against 11th-placed Union Berlin is scheduled for September 5th. This clash is listed in the fixtures. The double burden will be a challenge for the squad's depth, especially given the current injury list. Planning for rotation and managing energy will be key for the coaching team.
The club approaches the competition with respect but also ambition. The Europa League offers the chance to measure themselves on the international stage and gather valuable experience. The clear goal will be to successfully handle the league phase and progress as deep as possible into the competition.
The draw against Milan and other established teams is a good test of the team's current level. Performances in these games will also be an indicator of how far Leverkusen is from the European elite or if they have already closed the gap. The current Bundesliga standings show the club is firmly established in domestic competition. Now, the task is to solidify this status internationally as well.
