Leverkusen - PSG: Helpless Against the Champions

21/10/2025 07:30:00 PlaymakerHub

Leverkusen has remained unbeaten in seven matches since Kasper Hjulmand took over from Erik Ten Hag, but tonight they face the reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain with a squad devastated by injuries.

Under the Danish coach, Leverkusen has won four and drawn one in the Bundesliga, returning to the fight for a Top 4 spot. However, their strong domestic results contrast sharply with their unconvincing performance in the Champions League. Only scraping draws against weaker opponents Copenhagen (2-2) and PSV (1-1) in the first two rounds indicate Leverkusen still lacks the nerve on Europe’s most prestigious stage.

Now, the challenge for Hjulmand’s men is multiplied as they face a powerful PSG side. The situation is even more dire as Leverkusen is enduring a severe injury crisis. Their list of absentees includes key players like Exequiel Palacios, Nathan Tella, Jarell Quansah, Patrik Schick, Martin Terrier, Malik Tillman, and Lucas Vazquez. The injury situation is so critical that French media have predicted a "massacre" at BayArena. Even Loic Bade, who is emerging as a new defensive leader for Leverkusen, admits PSG is "the strongest team in the world right now, even with injuries."

PSG is a very tough challenge for Hjulmand’s squad

On PSG’s side, although they are also facing some squad issues with Joao Neves absent and doubts over Marquinhos and Fabian Ruiz’s availability, they still have a remarkably deep roster. The European champions’ recent form in Ligue 1 has been somewhat unstable, as shown by their latest 3-3 draw with Strasbourg. However, in the Champions League, they continue to display superior class. Their 2-1 win at Barcelona in the previous match, despite fielding a makeshift lineup, demonstrated the grit and frightening strength of Luis Enrique’s team. They are on a run of five consecutive Champions League wins and aiming to match the club record of six straight victories set in 1994.

The upcoming match promises an exciting attacking duel, as both teams recently participated in high-scoring domestic games (Leverkusen’s 4-3 win over Mainz, PSG’s 3-3 draw with Strasbourg). However, given the current squad situation, it will be very hard for Leverkusen to pull off a surprise. Despite home advantage and boosted morale, facing the reigning champions in such a battered condition is almost an impossible task. Hjulmand’s unbeaten streak will likely come to an end.

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