FC København vs Bayer 04 Leverkusen

The last time Copenhagen made an appearance in the Champions League proper was in 2023/24, their second successive campaign. Overall, this is their seventh group stage/league phase participation, more than any other Danish team. Meanwhile, this will be just the third-ever meeting between the two sides, with their only previous encounters coming during a 2014-15 qualifying tie. On that occasion, Leverkusen proved far too strong, running out 7-2 winners on aggregate to secure progression into the group stage. In addition, Copenhagen’s overall record against German opposition leaves little room for optimism. The Danish champions have faced Bundesliga sides 14 times in major European competitions, winning just once (D5 L8). That solitary success, however, came most recently in February last season when they defeated FC Heidenheim in the UEFA Europa Conference League. They will hope that victory is a sign of progress as they look to overturn a difficult historical trend against German outfits. Form in the Champions League is another area where Copenhagen will feel they have something to prove. They have managed just two wins from their last 12 matches in the competition (D5 L7). Encouragingly, both of those victories came at home – a dramatic 4-3 triumph over Manchester United in November 2023 and a crucial 1-0 win against Galatasaray in December of the same year. The Danes will once again look to turn Parken into a fortress as they face one of Europe’s most in-form sides. A 4—2—3—1 formation with Andreas Cornelius in attack may be seen against Leverkusen.

Leverkusen are featuring in the Champions League proper for the 15th time – although only the fourth in nine seasons. This season marks a continuation of their return to Europe’s elite competition. They are playing in back-to-back Champions League campaigns for the first time since appearing in four consecutive seasons between 2013-14 and 2016-17. For them, history in Denmark is limited. They have only twice previously faced a Danish opponent in major European competition, going back to the 1990-91 UEFA Cup. On that occasion, they were eliminated by Brøndby IF after a 3-0 aggregate defeat in the Round of 16. That setback still stands as their only competitive tie against a Danish team, making this trip to Parken something of a fresh challenge for newly appointed Kasper Hjulmand. A 3—4—2—1 formation with Patrik Schick in attack is expected against the Danish side.