Bayer Leverkusen will welcome PSV Eindhoven for Matchday 2 of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26.

Bayer Leverkusen and PSV Eindhoven, both winless on Matchday 1, square off at the BayArena on Wednesday in what will be their first European encounter in over 30 years. With both clubs eager to claim their first Champions League victory of the campaign, the fixture promises to be a fascinating battle between two sides carrying very different streaks into this contest.

Kasper Hjulmand’s Bayer Leverkusen have quickly established themselves as a resilient unit since his arrival, extending their unbeaten run with a narrow victory over St. Pauli at the weekend. Despite a lack of clean sheets since their DFB-Pokal triumph over Grossaspach in August, Leverkusen have found ways to grind out results, going five games without defeat across all competitions.

A 2-2 draw with FC Copenhagen on the opening matchday left them frustrated, but their strong record against Dutch opponents offers confidence heading into this clash. Historically, Die Werkself have been dominant in such encounters, winning four and drawing three of their seven matches against Dutch sides, including their pair of meetings with PSV in the early 1990s.

More recently, Leverkusen crushed Feyenoord 4-0 in Rotterdam last season, underscoring their ability to raise their level against Eredivisie opposition. With only two defeats in their last 11 group-stage or league-phase matches in the Champions League, Hjulmand’s men will look to extend their impressive European consistency.

For PSV Eindhoven, the trip to Germany comes after a disappointing start. A shock 3-1 defeat at home to Union Saint-Gilloise on Matchday 1 dealt a serious blow to their hopes of progression, exposing defensive frailties and costing them valuable points. The result also marked back-to-back home defeats in all competitions, although Peter Bosz’s men responded with a narrow 2-1 win at SBV Excelsior in the Eredivisie over the weekend.

PSV’s away form, however, is much more encouraging. They have won eight consecutive away matches in domestic competition since March and are unbeaten on their travels across all tournaments in that same period. A 2-2 draw at Arsenal in last season’s Champions League highlighted their resilience on the road, but their wider European history against German clubs is less flattering.

The Dutch giants are winless in their last 17 encounters with German opposition, losing 14 and drawing three since their last victory in December 1977. This clash pits Leverkusen’s current unbeaten surge against PSV’s long-standing struggles in Germany.

With both sides leaking goals but boasting plenty of attacking options, fans can expect an entertaining and potentially high-scoring encounter at the BayArena. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.

Team News & Tactics

Bayer Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen’s preparations for Wednesday’s encounter are clouded by injury concerns. Captain Robert Andrich was forced off at half-time during the weekend clash with a groin problem and is highly unlikely to feature. Striker Patrik Schick also left the field with a suspected hamstring injury late on, leaving his availability in serious doubt.

Both players could join a growing list of absentees that already includes Exequiel Palacios, sidelined with a groin issue and also ineligible for this fixture, Martin Terrier, who continues his recovery from an Achilles injury, and Nathan Tella, ruled out with a knee problem. Despite these setbacks, manager Kasper Hjulmand still has several in-form players to call upon.

Among them is summer arrival Malik Tillman, who has already made his mark with two Bundesliga goals since joining from PSV Eindhoven and will be eager to face his former club. Another key contributor is Spanish wing-back Alejandro Grimaldo, who scored in the 2-2 draw with Copenhagen on Matchday 1, and he has added two goals and an assist in his first five Bundesliga appearances this term, proving invaluable both defensively and in the final third.

In terms of formation, Bayer Leverkusen are expected to line up in their usual 3-4-2-1 system against PSV Eindhoven. Mark Flekken should start in goal, protected by a back three of Jarell Quansah, Loic Bade, and Edmond Tapsoba. Out wide, Axel Tape is set to operate on the right flank, with Grimaldo taking up his usual spot on the left.

The midfield pivot should consist of Aleix Garcia and Equi Fernandez, tasked with dictating the tempo and breaking up opposition attacks. Just ahead, Malik Tillman and Eliesse Ben Seghir are expected to provide the creative spark in support of young striker Christian Kofane, who will lead the line.

Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Flekken; Quansah, Bade, Tapsoba; Tape, Garcia, Fernandez, Grimaldo; Tilman, Ben Seghir; Kofane

PSV Eindhoven

PSV Eindhoven are dealing with a significant injury crisis ahead of their trip to Germany. The biggest setback is the absence of Ruben van Bommel, who scored their only goal on Matchday 1 but has since suffered a serious knee injury that could keep him sidelined for the rest of the season.

The Dutchman joins a long list of absentees that includes Alassane Plea (knee), Myron Boadu (hamstring), and Kiliann Sildillia (thigh). There are also doubts surrounding Sergino Dest, who will be assessed closer to the fixture.

PSV’s concerns deepened over the weekend, with striker Ricardo Pepi forced off after just 32 minutes against Excelsior, replaced by Guus Til, and left-back Anass Salah-Eddine also departing late on with a suspected knock. Both remain questionable for the midweek clash.

Despite these challenges, Joey Veerman continues to shine in midfield, adding to his tally of six goal involvements this season (three goals and three assists), and he will once again be pivotal in PSV’s creative play. On the wings, veteran Ivan Perisic will provide experience and quality, even if he was unable to add to his contributions in the last league outing.

In terms of formation, PSV are expected to line up in their familiar 4-3-3 setup. Matej Kovar should start in goal against his parent club, having joined PSV on a season-long loan from Bayer Leverkusen. The back four will likely feature Mauro Junior out wide, Ryan Flamingo and Yarek Gasiorowski as the central defenders, and Armando Obispo on the left.

In midfield, Jerdy Schouten will anchor the side in a defensive role, supported by Ismael Saibari and playmaker Joey Veerman. Up front, Paul Wanner should operate on the right wing, Guus Til could take on the central attacking role in the absence of Pepi, and Ivan Perisic is expected to start on the left.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Kovar; Junior, Flamingo, Gasiorowski, Obispo; Schouten, Saibari, Veerman; Wanner, Til, Perisic

Key Stats

• Bayer Leverkusen and PSV Eindhoven have met twice before in Europe, during the 1994/95 UEFA Cup first round. Leverkusen won 5-4 at home in the first leg, while the second leg ended 0-0 in the Netherlands.
• Leverkusen are unbeaten in seven meetings with Dutch opposition in European competition (W4 D3), most recently a 4-0 victory over Feyenoord in September 2024.
• PSV are searching for their first away win in Germany since 1977 (2-1 over Eintracht Braunschweig). Since then, they have gone 17 games without a win (D3 L14).
• The Dutch side have now lost consecutive Champions League group/league phase matches and have not avoided back-to-back defeats at this stage since 2018 (against Tottenham and Barcelona).
• Bayer Leverkusen have lost only two of their last 11 Champions League group/league phase games (W5 D4). This includes their spirited 2-2 comeback draw at Copenhagen on Matchday 1 this season.

Player to Watch

Ivan Perisic

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At 35, Ivan Perisic continues to be the embodiment of experience and quality for PSV Eindhoven. The Croatian winger has seamlessly adapted to life in the Eredivisie, contributing six goal involvements already this season, and his versatility makes him one of Peter Bosz’s most trusted attacking outlets.

Perisic thrives in one-on-one situations, using his sharp left foot to cut inside and create chances, while his delivery from wide areas adds a different dimension to PSV’s attacking play. In the absence of injured forwards like Ruben van Bommel and Myron Boadu, his creativity and eye for goal become even more vital.

Against a Bayer Leverkusen defence that has looked shaky at times, Perisic’s nous, set-piece quality, and ability to exploit space on the flanks could prove decisive in turning half-chances into goalscoring opportunities. For PSV to stand any chance of ending their long winless run against German opposition, Perisic’s influence in the final third will be crucial, both as a scorer and as the key provider for Guus Til and Paul Wanner.

Prediction

Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 PSV Eindhoven

Bayer Leverkusen enter this contest as the more settled side, carrying momentum from their unbeaten streak against Dutch opposition and their strong Champions League group-stage record. Even with injury concerns to key players such as Robert Andrich and Patrik Schick, Kasper Hjulmand’s men have shown resilience, and their attacking depth, with the likes of Malik Tillman, Amine Adli, and Alejandro Grimaldo, should give them enough firepower at home.

For PSV, the situation looks tougher. They are missing several key figures, including Ruben van Bommel, Alassane Plea, and potentially Ricardo Pepi, which limits their attacking options. Their dismal record away to German teams, without a win since 1977, further stacks the odds against them. While Peter Bosz’s side will look to Joey Veerman and Ivan Perisic for inspiration, their defensive lapses in Europe remain a concern.

Given the form guide, squad depth, and historical head-to-head advantage, Leverkusen should edge this tie, especially at the BayArena. PSV may create chances, but their away-day struggles in Germany are likely to continue. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 win for Hjulmand and his chargs.