Bayer Leverkusen and Newcastle meet on Wednesday night in a Champions League fixture that could shape the rest of their European campaigns. Both sides are separated by just one point in the league phase standings, and the stakes are clear.
Leverkusen's confidence stems partly from their impressive 2-0 win at Manchester City , a result covered by SoftFootball . Newcastle's own mood has also been shaped by recent headlines, including Malick Thiaw's standout performance against Everton .
The build-up to this match has been dominated by discussions around Nick Woltemade, whose adaptation to life in England has been rapid. His return to Germany adds a personal angle to this fixture, especially after his 17-goal season at Stuttgart.
