Hjulmand: Leverkusen confident ahead of facing 'best in the world' PSG
After drawing their opening two Champions League matches, Bayer Leverkusen will look to get their first win at home to Paris Saint-Germain.
Bayer Leverkusen boss Kasper Hjulmand insisted that his team were confident of getting a result against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Leverkusen welcome Luis Enrique's star-studded side to BayArena on Tuesday, hoping to build on their enthralling 4-3 triumph over Mainz at the weekend.
The Werkself are fifth in the Bundesliga but have struggled in UEFA's flagship competition, drawing their opening two games against PSV and Copenhagen, respectively.
Indeed, after winning their final two European matches of 2024, Leverkusen have only won one of their six games in European competition in 2025 (D2 L3).
And they potentially come up against a wounded animal in PSG, who relinquished top spot in Ligue 1 after coming from two goals down to salvage a point against Strasbourg.
While confident of his team's chances, Hjulmand was not willing to underestimate the Champions League holders, telling reporters: "PSG are perhaps the best team in the world.
"They have won five trophies in this calendar year. We have a lot of respect and it will be a difficult task.
"But we're also looking forward to it, because Champions League matches are always great. We're at home and are determined to show our qualities. We'll give everything to win.
"PSG are a team with top quality in all positions and all phases of the game.
"They have a good build-up from the back, are direct and quick, are good one-on-one and very aggressive when pressing.
"It's a weapon of theirs, but it also brings risks and opportunities for us. We have confidence in our own game and I think we will have our chances."
The Parisiens have also only won two of their last 10 away games against German sides in the Champions League (D2 L6), failing to keep a clean sheet in all 10 matches.
Their last such shutout came in February 2014 in a 4-0 away win at Leverkusen. Should PSG emerge victorious, it would also see them equal history in the competition.
PSG could win a sixth consecutive Champions League game, matching their longest ever run in the competition (six matches) between September and December 1994.
But, Hjulmand is yet to taste defeat in his seven games across all competitions since replacing Erik ten Hag, and believes his team can continue their unbeaten streak.
"We are on the right track. The team needs games and time to find each other," Hjulmand added.
"We are making good progress. After every game, I analyse what we've learned and what we need to improve. I clearly see the possibilities and the potential of this team."
The Leverkusen boss will, however, be without several of his first-team options.
Nathan Tella, Lucas Vazquez, Exequiel Palacios, Malik Tillman and Axel Tape will all miss the clash with injuries. Patrik Schick and Jarell Quansah are pushing to feature.
