Back
31.10.2022Champions League

Club Brugge home game 'good time to turn things round'

The Werkself entertain Club Brugge on Tuesday 1 November (kick-off: 18.45 CET) – and a good result is needed for the chance to play in Europe in the New Year. In the sixth and final group match in the UEFA Champions League, head coach Xabi Alonso is looking to take his team above Atlético Madrid into third place and also secure "a victory for our morale" as midfielder Nadiem Amiri declared.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

"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."

Aránguiz out– Demirbay may play

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.

Amiri: "important for the morale of the team"

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.

crop_20221031_FS_CLPK_47549.jpg

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."

Related News

Grafik Wahl Spieler der Saison
Bayer 04 - 29.05.2026

Vote now for your 2025/26 Player of the Season

With sixth place at the end of the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign, Bayer 04 ended a season in the top third of the table for the ninth time in a row. While the Werkself were narrowly eliminated in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 by eventual finalists Arsenal, the Black and Reds reached the semi-finals of the DFB Pokal for the third season in succession. As in previous years, you once again have the opportunity to vote for your Player of the Season. Voting is exclusively for Bayer 04 Club members and only via the Bayer 04 app up to and including 11 June.

Show more
Grafik Wahl Spielerin der Saison
Women - 29.05.2026

Women: Vote now for your 2025/26 Player of the Season

With 46 points in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga, the Bayer 04 Women’s team once again broke the previous season's club record and ended up in fifth place - 15 wins is also a record. As in previous years, you now have the opportunity to vote for your Player of the Season. Voting is open exclusively to Bayer 04 Club members and only via the Bayer 04 app by 11 June.

Show more
Mitglieder-Kick in der BayArena
Club - 26.05.2026

Successful season finale: Members event at the BayArena

Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.

Show more
Bayer 04
Bayer 04 - 25.05.2026

Season review 2025/26, part II: Highs and lows of an eventful season

Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.

Show more