Bayer Leverkusen head into Thursday’s Europa League meeting with Marseille still perfect in the competition, but Carles Martinez is asking for more than just individual defending to keep it that way. With Leverkusen’s strong European start colliding with recent defensive concerns in the Bundesliga, the coach said the entire team has to share the load if they want to stay on top of the 36-team standings.
Leverkusen are second in the table with six points from three matches, and they remain the only team yet to concede in the 2026-27 Europa League. They have scored eight goals, created 11 expected goals, taken 72 shots and put 33 of them on target. That attacking output has helped them keep a 100% record, but Martinez’s comments made clear that the clean sheets are only part of the story.
Martinez wants the full team involved
Leverkusen have kept a number of clean sheets in Europe, but Martinez pointed out that they have also conceded heavily in other matches. In his view, that is not just a back-line issue. He stressed that football has to be understood as a collective effort, with every player responsible for what happens without the ball.
That message comes at a useful time for Leverkusen. They have conceded nine goals in their last three Bundesliga outings, a run that has put their defensive form under scrutiny despite their excellent Europa League start. Martinez did not suggest Marseille will be an easy fix either. He described them as a strong team, noted the changes they made over the summer with a new coach and new players, and said they are improving.
The coach also made clear that respect for Marseille does not mean lowering expectations. Leverkusen, he said, must produce their best performance to win.
Marseille arrive with their own questions
Marseille are also trying to steady themselves in Europe. Heading into MD4, they sit 12th in the table, and their record in major European competition has not been consistent. One historical marker stands out: they beat RB Leipzig 5-2 in April 2018, but between October 2018 and November 2020 they went through an eight-match losing streak in major European matches.
The broader European context also works against Marseille. They have struggled against German opposition, while Leverkusen have a strong home record in the Europa League, going W7 D3 across their last 10 home matches in the competition. That contrast makes this matchup even more interesting, especially with Leverkusen trying to maintain control of their group position.
What to watch on Thursday
Leverkusen have never faced Marseille in European competition, so there is no direct head-to-head history to lean on. But the matchup still comes with a clear storyline: Leverkusen’s European efficiency against a Marseille side that needs a response.
Facundo Medina described Marseille as a well-organised team with experienced players and said the match will be tough and physical. He added that the right mentality and ambition could still give Marseille the three points. For Leverkusen, the equation is simpler. The attack has produced, but Martinez’s warning was about the whole team. Against Marseille, that collective effort may decide whether their perfect Europa League start continues.
