Korkut: 'We’ll get our chances.'

And that could be an important factor in winning against the league leaders. The Werkself and head coach Tayfun Korkut are looking for the Leverkusen fans to give them a boost against the men from Munich.

“At this stage of the season we need all the support we can get from the fans and I’m sure they will get behind us as they did in Darmstadt and Leipzig,’ declared Korkut at the pre-match press conference on Friday, which is available in full in German at bayer04.de and Facebook.

FC Bayern will have to manage without top striker Robert Lewandowski (one-match ban) and rearrange the defence as Jerome Boateng is ruled out with an injury - “David Alaba will play in central defence tomorrow” (Carlo Ancelotti) - and Tayfun Korkut does not believe Wednesday’s intense encounter with Real Madrid will have an effect on the Bundesliga match at the BayArena. “I’m expecting a top game regardless of the positions in the table and the timing of the game. It doesn’t matter who starts for FC Bayern - they will definitely field a top side,” said Korkut.

Chicharito sidelined - Bellarabi fit

As with the visitors, the Werkself will also be missing a world class striker: “Chicharito is recovering very well from his muscle injury and we believe he will soon be available again for the remaining games. The Bayern game has come too early for him,” said Korkut in explaining the latest setback for the Mexican goal-getter.

The coach did have good news about winger Karim Bellarabi: “Karim has completed full training and has come through with a clean bill of health. It’s good we’ve been able to work with almost the full squad this week, with the exception of the long-term absentees, for the first time since I’ve been here.”

Korkut also made it clear how the Werkself will approach the game against Bayern Munich: “We’ll have to be dogged, harry the opposition at all times to control the game and get the fans on our side,” demanded Korkut. “We also have a strong squad available. I’m absolutely certain we’ll get our chances.”

Important information

Bayer 04 would like to remind supporters that large bags and rucksacks cannot be taken into the stadium at Werkself home games. Belt bags and handbags not larger than A4 size are permitted. All other larger bags and rucksacks can be deposited at designated service desks in the East, West and Visitors stands. The deposit points at the BayArena open at the same time as the stadium and close 45 minutes after the end of the game.