Overview
After showing their strength in the opening match by making two comebacks to hold FC Copenhagen to a 2-2 draw, Bayer Leverkusen could not maintain the advantage in the second match against PSV.
In midweek, they will try to avoid not winning in the opening 3 matches of the Champions League - something that happened last time in 2016, when the German team drew all 3 of their first matches.
Since the last two victories in the European arena in 2024, Leverkusen have won only 1 out of 6 matches this year. However, this team still maintains an unbeaten record in five meetings with French clubs in the Champions League group stage.
Coach Kasper Hjulmand has not lost since replacing Erik ten Hag. His side are on a back-to-back Bundesliga win streak, including a dramatic 4-3 win over Mainz last weekend.
Leverkusen have also shown impressive form at home, losing only one of their last 17 group stage matches in UEFA tournaments. At BayArena last season, they won all 4 matches in the League Phase and did not concede any goals.
Despite missing many key players in the second round of the Champions League, PSG still knew how to overcome Barcelona thanks to the decisive goal in the final minutes.
The defending champions are currently unbeaten in their last 14 matches in this arena, having won 12. If they win another, PSG will equal their record for the longest winning streak in the Champions League, set in 1994 when they won all 6 consecutive matches from September to December.
However, the French representative has only won 2 out of the last 10 away matches against German teams. They also did not keep a clean sheet in any of those matches.
Luis Enrique's side have dropped points in two of their last three away games in all competitions. However, if they win all 3 points in the middle of this week, PSG will have won all 3 opening matches of the Champions League group stage for the first time since 2019.
Les Parisiens still maintain a perfect record against Bayer Leverkusen in the history of the Champions League, including a convincing 4-0 victory at BayArena in 2014. This was also the last time they kept a clean sheet in Germany in the group stage of this tournament.
Personnel situation
Currently, Kasper Hjulmand is facing a squad crisis at Bayer Leverkusen. Exequiel Palacios has a groin injury, while Nathan Tella and Jarell Quansah have knee problems.
Axel Tape-Kobrissa is still doubtful due to a hamstring injury, while Patrik Schick is unlikely to feature due to a hamstring injury. Martin Terrier is definitely absent due to a broken Achilles tendon.
However, Christian Michel Kofane is a bright spot for the home team, having scored in 3 consecutive matches in all competitions. That includes a goal in the second round of the Champions League.
On the other side of the front line, PSG are also facing similar problems. Ousmane Dembele is recovering from a hamstring injury and is expected to return this weekend. Meanwhile, Joao Neves is likely to be absent for the same reason.
Captain Marquinhos is uncertain to recover from his thigh injury in time, while Fabian Ruiz has a hip problem.
Expected lineup:
Bayer Leverkusen: Flekken, Andrich, Bade, Belocian, Arthur, Garcia, Fernandez, Grimaldo, Maza, Poku, Kofane.
PSG: Chevalier, Hakimi, Zabarnyi, Pacho, Mendes, Lee Kang-in, Vitinha, Doue, Kvaratskhelia, Ramos, Barcola.
The match between Bayer Leverkusen and PSG takes place at 2:00 am on October 22 (Vietnam time).
