Leverkusen have enjoyed an impressive week. They beat FC St. Pauli 4-0 in the Bundesliga before securing a 2-0 away win over Olympiacos F.C. in the Champions League. Hjulmand named the same starting XI for both matches.
Explaining that decision after the victory in Greece, Hjulmand said the three-day gap between games "offered the possibility to have a bit of continuity from the start."
The approach worked. Leverkusen looked sharp, controlled both matches and kept two clean sheets. But the Danish coach admitted that repeating the same selection is not sustainable with a heavy schedule ahead.
"It can't go on like this, that's not possible," Hjulmand stressed. "We have a good bench with quality players. We have a large squad and high quality, so it's possible for us to rotate."
Leverkusen travel to face 1. FC Union Berlin on Saturday in the Bundesliga. They then host Olympiacos on Tuesday, 24 February, before welcoming 1. FSV Mainz 05 on 28 February.
March begins with two away league matches: at Hamburger SV on 4 March and at SC Freiburg on 7 March.
Five matches in just over two weeks will test the depth of the squad. Hjulmand's message was clear: Leverkusen have built a strong group for this exact moment. Rotation is coming, and every player will be expected to contribute as they fight to maintain momentum on two fronts.
Inter Milan were humbled by Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of the Champions League knockout round play-offs on Wednesday, while Bayer Leverkusen beat Olympiakos in Greece.
Mats Hummels has claimed that FC Bayern Munich "look less confident at the moment" as the Bundesliga title race intensifies.
Club Brugge and Atletico Madrid served up a thrilling spectacle as they played out a 3–3 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off tie.
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Julian Brandt says he is 'satisfied and confident' following the 2-0 win against Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League first leg play off on Tuesday.
