Leverkusen before the Champions League duel: Can coach Hjulmand turn things around?

Leverkusen before the Champions League duel: Can coach Hjulmand turn things around?

The situation for Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the Champions League is currently tense, but the fans are hoping for a turnaround. On matchday 4 they will be on the pitch against Benfica Lisbon. Coach Kasper Hjulmand has found clear words: a reaction is needed after a disappointing 7-2 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain. This is particularly important because so far Leverkusen have had two draws in the group stage and this bitter defeat, which doesn't exactly cause celebration. In the Bundesliga, however, the team is showing a stronger side and could build on this form.

Benfica Lisbon itself has not yet got its foot on the ground in the current Champions League season. The Portuguese have suffered three defeats so far and were only able to score their first goals against Qarabağ Ağdam. In the subsequent matches against Chelsea and Newcastle, the team remained goalless. There is definitely still room for improvement here and the motivation is high to finally be able to score points.

The challenge of the Champions League

The 2025/26 Champions League offers exciting competition. In this 71st season, 36 teams will compete for the title in a league format. Each team has the chance to qualify through four home and four away games before moving on to the decisive knockout rounds. The best eight teams will advance directly to the round of 16.

After a brutal final last season where Paris Saint-Germain humiliated Inter Milan 5-0, big names like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus and Inter are aiming to steal the title from PSG. This high level of competition ensures that every game is of great importance and captivates the spectators.

What can fans expect?

If you want to watch the Champions League games today, you have numerous options. In the USA, the broadcasts are carried out primarily by CBS Sports Network and the streaming platform Paramount+, which has a new multiview function that allows four games to be watched at the same time. This innovation is ideal for fans who don't want to miss a game.

The excitement surrounding today's duel between Leverkusen and Benfica runs through many fan camps. Leverkusen urgently needs points to stay in the race for the knockout rounds, while Benfica are hoping for their first success. Time will tell whether the teams are ready to give it their all.

Advertising for the Champions League cannot be done away with, and there is great anticipation for further exciting encounters. Leverkusen face an important challenge and the football world is excited to see how they fare.

For further information about the game and the current Champions League season, it's worth taking a look Yahoo Sports and Sporting News.