Bayer Leverkusen heads to the Emirates for a Champions League showdown and Hjulmand is preparing his side to stun Arsenal in London.
Bayer Leverkusen will be at the Emirates Stadium for a defining moment in their European campaign. Following a gritty 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie, the German side finds itself on a knife-edge.
Leverkusen midfielder Exequiel Palacios didn’t mince words during Monday’s pre-match press conference, framing the return leg with the intensity of a cup final. “For us, tomorrow is like a final; it’s all or nothing,” the Argentine playmaker declared.
Palacios pointed to the presence of Alejandro Grimaldo, Robert Andrich, and Patrik Schick as the calming influences necessary to weather the storm in London. “It’s the right mix,” he noted, emphasizing that the blend of raw potential and proven experience gives Leverkusen the psychological edge needed to navigate the pressures of the Champions League knockout rounds.
FIGHT TO THE VERY END! ⚫️🔴 pic.twitter.com/G4ib6vNlov
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) March 17, 2026
Echoing his players’ resolve, head coach Kasper Hjulmand is relishing the role of the underdog. Fresh off a taxing 1-1 stalemate against domestic giants Bayern Munich, Hjulmand sees the relentless schedule not as a burden, but as a catalyst. “It’s the third big game in just a few days. We’re ready,” Hjulmand told reporters.
Hjulmand is bracing for an Arsenal side that will look to use their home advantage to suffocate Leverkusen with an aggressive, high-pressing start. Rather than being intimidated by the prospect of a hostile atmosphere and an attacking onslaught, the Danish coach believes his side’s previous performances in the competition have prepared them for this specific brand of chaos.
“We’ve come here to win this game,” Hjulmand asserted, dismissing any notion that Leverkusen would be content with merely keeping the score respectable. As the clock ticks towards kickoff, a reshaped Leverkusen side is seeking an upsetting victory against an Arsenal team under immense pressure to deliver at home.
