FC Copenhagen begins their 2025/26 UEFA Champions League group stage campaign at home against Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen. Softfootball understands that the clash at Parken Stadium will mark Copenhagen’s seventh European fixture of the season, having already battled through three qualifying rounds to secure their spot.
Jacob Neestrup’s side enter the contest with confidence despite a 2-1 defeat to fierce rivals Brøndby at the weekend. The Danish champions have lost only two of their 14 matches across all competitions this term (W9, D3), and they were particularly dominant on home soil during qualifying, winning all three ties at Parken by a combined 9-0 scoreline.
However, their record against German opposition is less encouraging. Copenhagen has lost their last eight home games against Bundesliga teams and managed just one win from 14 European encounters with German clubs.
Leverkusen arrive in Copenhagen fresh from a 3-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt, a result made more impressive by the fact they finished the match with nine men. New head coach Kasper Hjulmand, who replaced Erik ten Hag this summer, made a winning start to life in the Bundesliga but is still chasing his first victory in the Champions League proper, having gone winless in six matches with Nordsjælland over a decade ago. The former German champions’ recent away record in the competition also raises questions, with just one win from their last eight UCL fixtures on the road (D2, L5).
Bayer Leverkusen admin uploaded a love picture of the home stadium on their official X account, claiming it’s such a nice feeling.
They posted:
Key battles are expected at both ends of the pitch. For Copenhagen, Mohamed Elyounoussi has been in inspired form, producing eight goal contributions in his last seven outings (3 goals, 5 assists). His threat will be crucial against a Leverkusen defence that conceded five of their last seven Champions League goals between the 50th and 75th minutes. Patrik Schick, meanwhile, has already scored three Bundesliga goals this season for Leverkusen, two of which came from the penalty spot.
Both sides are missing important players. Copenhagen will be without Magnus Mattsson, while Leverkusen must cope without injured midfielders Exequiel Palacios and Jonas Hofmann, but new signing Lucas Vazquez, who was lured from Real Madrid on a two year contract, will be very essential in getting the results as he starts for the German team.
Bayer Leverkusen’s official starting XI uploaded via the team’s official X account:
FC Copenhagen’s official starting XI uploaded via the club’s official X account:
History is also against the hosts. The clubs last met in 2014/15 UCL qualifying, with Leverkusen winning both legs for a commanding 7-2 aggregate score. Copenhagen have also struggled in front of goal historically in the competition, scoring just 34 times across their 40 Champions League fixtures.
