Bayer Leverkusen will face one of their toughest challenges yet as they host reigning Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain at the BayArena on Tuesday. The German side have found new life under head coach Kasper Hjulmand, who replaced Erik ten Hag earlier this season and has guided the team through a seven-match unbeaten streak across all competitions. Leverkusen’s resurgence has lifted them to fifth in the Bundesliga, capped by a thrilling 4-3 victory over Mainz at the weekend.
Despite their strong domestic form, Leverkusen are still hunting for their first European win of the campaign, having drawn their opening Champions League fixtures — 2-2 with FC Copenhagen and 1-1 with PSV Eindhoven. The club will be counting on home advantage and their newfound attacking rhythm to finally secure three points against the defending champions.
Paris Saint-Germain arrive in Germany in mixed form, trailing Ligue 1 leaders Marseille by a single point after consecutive league draws, including a wild 3-3 comeback against Strasbourg. In Europe, however, Luis Enrique’s side have been clinical, cruising past Atalanta 4-0 and edging Barcelona 2-1 to top their group. The two teams last met in the 2013/14 round of 16, where PSG advanced 6-1 on aggregate — a result Leverkusen will be desperate to avenge a decade later.
