Bayer Leverkusen go welcome Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to BayArena for matchday three of di Champions League League Phase on Tuesday — di first time both teams go jam for dis competition since over ten years ago.
Leverkusen dey sit 25th for table after dem manage 1-1 draw with PSV last time, while PSG, di defending champions, dey move like machine with perfect record from two matches, including di sweet 2-1 comeback win over Barcelona last round.
Match Preview
Leverkusen show small fight for dem opening game as dem come back twice to draw FC Copenhagen 2-2, but for di second match against PSV, dem no fit hold onto di second-half lead wey dem get.
Now, dem dey try avoid starting dis Champions League phase with three straight matches without win — something wey last happen to dem for 2016 when dem draw all three openers.
Even though dem finish last European campaign strong with two straight wins, dis year performance for Europe never too balance — just one win from six outings.
But one sweet stat still dey on dem side: Leverkusen never lose any of dem last five Champions League games against French opposition. Under new boss Kasper Hjulmand, things dey look brighter — di team never lose since he take over from Erik ten Hag, and dem don win two straight Bundesliga matches, including di thrilling 4-3 victory over Mainz on Saturday.
Leverkusen dey also very strong for home soil. Dem don lose only one of dem last 17 UEFA home games, and last season for di League Phase, dem win all four BayArena matches without even conceding one single goal. Di home advantage dey real for dem, and dem fans go expect another serious performance against PSG.
Meanwhile, PSG show serious champion mentality for dem last match — even without key stars, dem still come from behind to beat Barcelona 2-1.
Luis Enrique’s men now dey unbeaten in dem last 14 Champions League games, winning 12 of those, including di last five straight. If dem win again on Tuesday, e go match dem all-time best winning streak for dis competition (six wins back-to-back) wey dem achieve for 1994.
However, history show say PSG no dey enjoy playing against German sides for away ground. Dem don win only two of dem last 10 visits to Germany and never keep clean sheet for any of those games.
Add to that, dem don drop points for two of dem last three away matches in all competitions. Still, if dem win on Tuesday, e go be di first time since 2019 wey dem start Champions League group/league phase with three straight wins.
Interestingly, PSG get 100% record against Leverkusen for dis tournament. Di last time dem meet — back in 2014 — PSG hammer dem 4-0 right inside BayArena, and na still di last time PSG keep clean sheet for group stage match on German soil. Dat kind stat go surely motivate both teams differently — Bayer dey hungry to change story, PSG dey hungry to continue dominance.
Bayer Leverkusen Champions League Form:
D D
Bayer Leverkusen Form (All Competitions):
W D W D W
Paris Saint-Germain Champions League Form:
W W
Paris Saint-Germain Form (All Competitions):
W W W D W
Team News
Kasper Hjulmand get plenty injury headache to deal with for Leverkusen. Exequiel Palacios dey struggle with groin strain, Nathan Tella and Jarell Quansah still dey out with knee injuries.
Axel Tape-Kobrissa dey doubtful because of hamstring wahala, while Patrik Schick unlikely to feature with thigh strain. Martin Terrier go miss am entirely with Achilles tendon rupture.
One good news be say Christian Michel Kofane dey on hot form — di forward don score three straight matches in a row across all competitions and even get Leverkusen’s only goal for matchday two against PSV.
For PSG side, Ousmane Dembele don near return from hamstring injury but likely go come back over di weekend, not for dis game. Joao Neves still dey out with similar issue, while captain Marquinhos remain doubtful with thigh pain.
Fabian Ruiz dey also struggle with hip injury and fit miss his 50th Champions League appearance. Senny Mayulu score di equaliser against Barcelona, before Goncalo Ramos seal di late 90th-minute winner — di second-latest goal PSG don ever score against Barca for Champions League history.
Bayer Leverkusen Possible Starting Lineup:
Flekken; Andrich, Bade, Belocian; Arthur, Garcia, Fernandez, Grimaldo; Maza, Poku; Kofane
Paris Saint-Germain Possible Starting Lineup:
Chevalier; Hakimi, Zabarnyi, Pacho, Mendes; Kang-in, Vitinha, Doue; Kvaratskhelia, Ramos, Barcola
Match Prediction
We dey reason say Bayer Leverkusen 1-2 Paris Saint-Germain. PSG don show say even without key stars, dem fit still grind result with class and confidence. With di kind attacking options wey Luis Enrique get — from Kvaratskhelia to Ramos and Barcola — somebody fit easily produce dat one magical moment to change di game.
Leverkusen go fight strong, especially as dem dey play for home with plenty energy, but PSG experience and squad depth go likely tell for di second half. Expect Leverkusen to start sharp, maybe even score first, but PSG go turn things around before final whistle. Na one of those tight matches wey champions dey use show say dem still get am.
Live Update
Dis page dey LIVE and go dey updated regularly with new team news, confirmed lineups, and real-time match gist as e dey happen. Make you dey check back steady — na here all di fresh Champions League matter go drop hot-hot.
