The Market is Talking About Bayer Leverkusen’s Champions League Prospects
Following Bayer Leverkusen’s progression to the Champions League round of 16, the football community is abuzz with speculation regarding their potential opponents. On Tuesday night, Leverkusen played to a 0-0 draw against Olympiacos, securing their advancement after a 2-0 victory in the first leg.
Director of sport Simon Rolfes expressed a preference for facing Arsenal in the next round. He remarked, “It would be great if we were drawn against Arsenal. Then we could finally say goodbye to Kai Havertz at our stadium – almost six years after his departure.” Rolfes noted that he has been in contact with Havertz, who is also eager to reunite with his former club.
Leverkusen head coach Kasper Hjulmand echoed this sentiment, stating, “They are two of the best teams in Europe, they play at the same level. We want to play against the best.” He highlighted the excitement of a potential matchup with Arsenal, suggesting it would provide a refreshing change compared to facing Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich multiple times.
However, if Leverkusen draws Bayern, they could face them four times within a short span, which includes two league matches and a potential Champions League clash. The first leg of the Champions League round is scheduled for March 10-11.
Despite a recent setback against Union Berlin, where they lost 1-0, Leverkusen remains in a strong position in the Bundesliga, sitting sixth and only four points off the Champions League qualification spots. Their form has improved significantly, ranking as the fourth-best team over the last fifteen games.
Disclaimer: No official confirmation yet on the opponents for Bayer Leverkusen in the next round.