Lech Poznań vs. Bayer Leverkusen: UEFA Europa League live blog and preview

Bayer Leverkusen will look to continue their winning start to the league phase of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League as they visit Lech Poznań on Thursday (kick-off: 6:45pm CEST).

Runners-up on their last Europa League adventure under Xabi Alonso in 2023/24, Leverkusen were victorious on their return to the competition in September as they beat Celje of Slovenia 2-0 at home.

Champions of Poland for the 10th time last season, Poznań came through two rounds of Europa League qualifying after dropping out of Champions League contention. They began the league phase with a 4-0 loss at Crystal Palace.

Follow the match below!

VS

Lech Poznan

Thu, 15.10 16:45

Leverkusen

Europa League
League phase, Matchday 2 League phase, Matchday 2 Poznan Stadium, Poznan

Juggling injuries

Martínez is expected to have to make do without Eliesse Ben Seghir (hamstring), Montrell Culbreath (foot), Guéla Doué (calf), Kennet Eichhorn (illness) and Christian Kofane (thigh) in Poland. Striker Kofane (picured) suffered a muscle injury on international duty and is likely to be out for a number of weeks.

© IMAGO/Vitalii Kliuiev

'Enjoyable for fans - but not for me'

"For the fans, it was a great game with seven goals - but it wasn't so enjoyable for me as a coach," Martínez told reporters after the game. "We're particularly pleased with our performance in the second half."

© IMAGO/Gerhard Schultheiß

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2:03

Watch: Mainz 3-4 Leverkusen - highlights

Patrik Schick continued his fine scoring run as Carles Martínez's charges edged a seven-goal thriller in the Bundesliga on Matchday 5.

Poznań: The story so far

Polish champions last season, Poznań dropped into the UEFA Europa League after losing their Champions League second qualifying round tie with Denmark's Aarhus on penalties. Niels Frederiksen's side progressed past KÍ in qualifying and Thun in the play-offs, but suffered a 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace in their opening fixture of the tournament proper.

© IMAGO/Javier Garcia/Shutterstock

Leverkusen: The story so far

Leverkusen started their European campaign with a 2-0 home win over Slovenian outfit Celje. Facundo Medina sealed the deal in the second half after a Svit Sešlar own goal had given Bayer an early lead.

© IMAGO/Nordphoto/Meuter

Welcome!

Follow all the build-up and live action as Bayer Leverkusen visit Poland's Lech Poznań in their second fixture of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League league phase (kick-off: 6.45pm CEST).

About the clubs

Bayer Leverkusen

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