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"We want to stay in Europe and give our fans another international home game," said head coach Xabi Alonso at the start of the press conference on Monday afternoon. "Being in the Europa League is very important for the team, the fans and the whole club. We will fight and give our all."
The following permutations are possible for the Werkself to finish third in Champions League Group B: If Bayer 04 win then a defeat or a draw for Atlético Madrid in Porto would be enough to finish third and thereby qualify for the knockout rounds of the Europa League. If the Alonso team only pick up one point against Club Brugge then the Madrid team would have to lose at Porto for Bayer 04 to remain in Europe.
Xabi Alonso does not want to think about that during the game. The Spaniard: "I won't follow the other game. We have to look to ourselves and we want to win to have as big a chance of possible of being in Europe in the New Year."
In addition to Florian Wirtz and Sardar Azmoun, head coach Xabi Alonso will also have to manage without the injured Karim Bellarabi and Charles Aránguiz. Daley Sinkgraven is not registered for the Champions League and Piero Hincapie is serving a one-match ban. A decision will be made after the afternoon training session regarding a place in the squad for Kerem Demirbay who did not play in the last two matches.
Xabi Alonso was joined at the press conference on Monday afternoon by Nadiem Amiri who also fielded questions from the media. There was "obvious disappointment" at going out of the Champions League but the team will give everything to get a win against Club Brugge. "The match is a good time to turn things round," said the Werkself number 11.
In the intense Champions League match at Atlético Madrid (2-2) there was a lack of energy in the 2-0 defeat in Leipzig but the Werkself are ready for Club Brugge who have already qualified to the Round of 16 in the Champions League. Amiri stressed how important good recovery and lots of sleep is ahead of the game: "We are full of energy and we'll give our all."
Today sees Bayer 04 go head-to-head with their next direct rivals in the race for Champions League qualification (kick-off 15:30 CEST). Opponents Stuttgart are currently fifth in the table, level on points with the Werkself but one place below them due to a three-goal inferior goal difference. The Black and Reds' record at Bad Cannstatt tells a clearer story: they've not lost at VfB for over 16 years. One important factor in securing what would be three crucial points away from home is Leverkusen's strength on the counter-attack. Whilst Stuttgart are also extremely dangerous going forward, they will be without their captain. Today’s matchday news.
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Another showdown in the race for the Champions League places takes place in Swabia: on Saturday 9 May (kick-off 15:30 CEST), the Werkself visit VfB Stuttgart, who are only behind on goal difference. In his pre-match press conference, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about confidence, excitement and mentality.
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Reinforcement in attack: Bayer 04 Leverkusen have secured the transfer of striker Maja Sternad from Bundesliga rivals SV Werder Bremen. The 22-year-old has signed a contract until 30 June 2028.
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It's a thrilling situation: as the season draws to a close, Stuttgart and Bayer 04 are heading into the home stretch almost neck and neck. After 32 games, with 17 wins, seven draws and eight defeats each, both teams are on 58 points. Even in terms of goals scored, VfB and the Werkself are level on 66. The Black and Reds have conceded just three fewer goals (43) than their rivals (46), which is why they sit one place behind fourth-placed Leverkusen. This Saturday, 9 May (kick-off: 15.30 CEST), the two teams go head to head at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with full-back Arthur ahead of schedule. The Werkself have agreed a new deal with the Brazilian to 30 June 2031. The 23-year-old was previously under contract to the summer of 2028.
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