Bayer Leverkusen began their 2026/27 Europa League campaign with a 2–0 victory over NK Celje at the BayArena, with an own goal from Svit Seslar and a Facundo Medina volley securing the win.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen made a winning start to their 2026/27 UEFA Europa League campaign, defeating Slovenian champions NK Celje 2–0 at the BayArena.

The Werkself controlled the majority of the contest, particularly during the first half, and deservedly went into the break ahead after Svit Seslar turned Aleix Garcia's cross into his own net in the 15th minute.

Leverkusen continued to dictate the game after the interval and eventually doubled their advantage when Facundo Medina spectacularly volleyed home from an Aleix Garcia corner in the 74th minute.

The result gave Carles Martínez's side three points from their opening league-phase fixture and a clean sheet on their return to European competition. UEFA's official fixture record confirms Leverkusen's 2–0 victory in Matchday 1.

⚽ Bayer Leverkusen 2–0 Celje: Match Overview

Detail	Information
Competition	UEFA Europa League
Season	2026/27
Matchday	League Phase – Matchday 1
Venue	BayArena
Result	Bayer Leverkusen 2–0 Celje
Half-time	1–0
First goal	Svit Seslar OG, 15'
Second goal	Facundo Medina, 74'
Attendance	27,000

🔥 Leverkusen Start Fast

The Werkself needed only a few minutes to establish control.

Martin Terrier immediately signalled Leverkusen's attacking intentions when his long-range effort struck the post in the 12th minute.

Three minutes later, the hosts finally found the breakthrough.

Aleix Garcia delivered a dangerous cross into the Celje penalty area, and Svit Seslar's attempted intervention sent the ball into his own goal.

The own goal gave Leverkusen a 1–0 lead and rewarded a sustained period of pressure.

According to Bayer's official report, Garcia continued to influence the game from midfield and came close to adding a second himself on several occasions.

🧨 Celje Goalkeeper Keeps the Visitors Alive

Despite Leverkusen's control, Celje goalkeeper Zan-Luk Leban produced an impressive performance.

Garcia had opportunities to extend the lead in the 20th, 26th and 33rd minutes, but Leban repeatedly denied the midfielder.

The goalkeeper also prevented Martin Terrier from scoring shortly before half-time.

At the other end, Mark Flekken was required to make two quick saves to ensure that Celje could not equalise before the interval.

Leverkusen therefore went into half-time with a narrow but deserved 1–0 advantage.

🎯 Leverkusen Maintain Control After the Break

The second half followed a similar pattern.

Leverkusen continued to dominate possession and territory, while Celje struggled to create sustained pressure.

Facundo Medina came close to adding a second in the 51st minute, but the Argentine defender would not have to wait much longer for his decisive contribution.

Carles Martínez introduced Afonso Moreira and Christian Kofane in the 60th minute, adding fresh attacking energy to the side.

🚀 Medina's Brilliant Volley Makes It 2–0

The decisive second goal arrived in the 74th minute.

After a Moreira effort struck the crossbar, Leverkusen won a corner.

Aleix Garcia delivered the set piece, and Facundo Medina met it with a first-time volley, sending the ball into the net to make it 2–0.

It was a superb finish from the Argentine and the perfect reward for a performance in which he had contributed both defensively and offensively.

Bayer's official report described Medina's strike as the goal that sealed the victory.

🛡️ Clean Sheet Completes the Job

With a two-goal cushion, Leverkusen managed the closing stages professionally.

Celje could not produce a late comeback, while the Werkself remained defensively organised.

The final whistle confirmed a 2–0 home victory, giving Leverkusen an ideal start to their Europa League campaign.

Eliesse Ben Seghir also made his first appearance of the new season late in the match after returning from his spell on the sidelines.

🧠 Tactical Analysis

Leverkusen's midfield control

Aleix Garcia was one of the key figures in Leverkusen's performance.

His passing and set-piece delivery repeatedly created problems for Celje, while his corner provided the assist for Medina's decisive goal.

The hosts also used their full-backs and wide players to stretch Celje's defensive block, allowing them to create crossing opportunities and second-ball situations.

Celje's defensive resilience

Although Celje ultimately lost 2–0, the Slovenian champions remained competitive for long periods.

Their goalkeeper Leban was particularly important, preventing the scoreline from becoming more emphatic.

However, Leverkusen's sustained territorial control eventually wore the visitors down.

📋 Goals Timeline

Minute	Event
15'	⚽ Svit Seslar — Own Goal, Leverkusen 1–0
74'	⚽ Facundo Medina — Leverkusen 2–0

The official Bayer 04 match report confirms both goals and the exact minutes.

⭐ Player of the Match: Facundo Medina

Facundo Medina provided the decisive moment of the night.

The Argentine defender was involved in several important defensive actions before stepping forward to score a spectacular volley from Garcia's corner.

His goal gave Leverkusen the breathing room they needed and ensured that their dominance was reflected on the scoreboard.

Aleix Garcia also deserves significant credit after influencing the match from midfield and delivering the corner for Medina's goal.

🏆 A Positive European Start

The victory is an encouraging beginning for Leverkusen in the new Europa League league phase.

UEFA's schedule shows that their next Europa League fixture will come on 15 October away to Lech Poznań, followed by another away match against OFI Crete on 22 October.

Before returning to European competition, however, Leverkusen will focus on their Bundesliga schedule, with RB Leipzig visiting the BayArena on September 20.

🏁 Final Thoughts

Bayer Leverkusen's 2–0 victory over NK Celje was built on control, patience and efficiency.

The hosts dominated long stretches of the first half and took the lead through Svit Seslar's own goal after an Aleix Garcia cross.

Celje goalkeeper Zan-Luk Leban then kept his team in the contest with several impressive saves, but Leverkusen remained in control after the break.

Eventually, Facundo Medina's superb volley from Garcia's corner provided the second goal and settled the match.

It was not the most spectacular attacking performance from the Werkself, but it was an efficient European display: three points, two goals and a clean sheet.

For Leverkusen, the road back into European competition could hardly have started more positively.