WHEN AND WHERE
We host the German Bundesliga side on Tuesday 25 November, with kick-off scheduled at the Etihad Stadium for 20:00 (UK).
The game will be shown live in the UK on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate and Amazon Prime Video. You can also keep across all of the action via the Official Man City App, as well as the key moments on X: @ManCity.
OPPOSING MANAGER – KASPER HJULMAND
The Dane stepped into the role in September following the departure of Erik ten Hag and has an impressive CV to his name.
The former player was forced to retire from playing at the tender age of 26 back in 1998. He took the setback in his stride and made a seamless transition into coaching, starting at Danish outfit Lyngby as part of their youth coaching staff.
He progressed well and became the first-team manager before moving to Nordsjælland, leading them to their first ever top-flight title in 2011/12, overcoming Danish giants FC Copenhagen.
That success earned him a move to Mainz, replacing Thomas Tuchel.
However, his most impressive spell came with the Denmark national side, leading them to the semi-finals of Euro 2020, whilst also overseeing their 2022 World Cup campaign and Euro 2024 journey.
In his 14 matches in charge of Leverkusen, he has only tasted defeat twice across all competitions, with both losses coming to Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.
DANGER MEN
Striker Patrick Schick is an obvious goalscoring threat with seven goals across all competitions this season, including the winner in Leverkusen’s last Champions League encounter against Benfica.
Schick enjoys a physical battle with defenders and is confident in the air, so the German side could look towards him in set-pieces to make a difference in both boxes.
Wing-back Alejandro Grimaldo is another one to keep a close eye on.
With the added security of an extra defender behind him, Grimaldo has the license to charge forward, and that is proven by his seven goals and three assists this term.
PEP GUARDIOLA PREVIEW
Pep Guardiola and a player from the first team squad will face the media at the pre-match press conference from 12:30 (UK) on Monday 24 November.
PREVIOUS MEETING
This will be our first-ever encounter with Leverkusen.
Although we do have plenty of history against their German counterparts, including entertaining Champions League fixtures with both Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.
LAST TIME OUT
Our last Champions League game saw us claim an impressive 4-1 victory over the aforementioned Dortmund at the Etihad.
Foden scored two superb goals – both from distance – and Erling Haaland bagged his 18th City goal of an already incredible campaign.
Anton pulled a goal back on 72 minutes – the only blot on an otherwise sparkling display by the Blues, who now sit in fourth in the UCL league phase table. Rayan Cherki had the final say, drilling a low shot home in added time to make it 4-1.
In the Premier League, we were beaten away to Newcastle United, with Harvey Barnes’ double securing a 2-1 win for the Magpies on Saturday.
For Leverkusen, they claimed an impressive 1-0 victory away to Benfica in the Champions League, and in league terms, they secured a 3-1 away win over Wolfsburg on Saturday.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Joao Pinheiro
Assistant referees: Bruno Jesus and Luciano Maia
Video Assistant Referee: Tiago Martins
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Willy Delajod
Fourth official: Joao Goncalves
