
Kerem, the 2-1 victory over Porto was the fourth win in succession. How confident is everybody ahead of the clash with FC Augsburg?
"Of course, a run like that builds confidence. We can go into the game on the front foot. But the match against Augsburg starts with the score at 0-0. We'll have to put in as much effort as we did against Porto to win this game. It won’t be a walk in the park."
You played the full 90 minutes on Thursday and provided the assist for the opening goal. What's your assessment of the game looking back after a couple of days?
"It was disappointing to concede a goal. Particularly as the foul, that led to the free kick ahead of it being 2-1, definitely wasn't right. It was a mistake by the referee. But I'm sure we can put on a very good display in Porto and get on the score sheet."
In Florian Niederlechner, Augsburg have the third highest goalscorer in the Bundesliga in their ranks. How will you stop him on Sunday?
"We need to concentrate more on ourselves. Of course, the coaches will prepare us very well for the opponents once again but we're playing at our ground and in front of our own fans. We want to control the game and win it at the end of the day."
Augsburg haven’t won the last two games and are mid-table. What sort of opposition are you expecting?
"They're a team that play well in transition. Therefore, we definitely need to avoid making mistakes in possession in our build-ups. And we want to play our game. We'll have to do a lot off the ball to create space and to make ourselves available for team-mates. That worked against Porto so long may it continue."
There are some crucial weeks ahead. The mood in the team could hardly be better, wouldn't you say?
"Of course, a run of wins does have an effect on the atmosphere in the dressing room. But much more important than a good atmosphere is the desire for success. We are still in three competitions but haven't achieved anything yet. So it's all about carrying on."

Bayern Munich come to the BayArena this Saturday with an 11-point lead in the Bundesliga as they look to take a step closer to the title. As imperious as they may seem, a weakness has emerged of late that the Werkself proved they can exploit in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the Champions League. Leverkusen are also looking to make it four Bundesliga home games unbeaten against the Bavarians. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the 15:30 CET kick-off in our matchday news.
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Another home game, another top opponent - another marker? Three days after their convincing performance in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg, Bayer 04 continue their Bundesliga campaign with an equally high-calibre fixture. Matchday 26 sees league leaders Bayern Munich visit the sold-out BayArena. Ahead of the clash, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about a comparison between Arsenal and the Bavarians, Bayern's high-scoring performance in Europe's premier club competition and a return to the squad for one Werkself player.
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High spirits and previously untold stories: Around 100 Bayer 04 fans packed the Schwadbud fan pub in the east stand of the BayArena on Thursday evening to be there in person for the first instalment of the new series of events entitled “Rudi lädt ein” (Rudi invites you). They listened intently as long-serving Werkself players Gonzalo Castro and Stefan Kießling chatted with record appearance-maker Rüdiger Vollborn and presenter and stadium announcer Tobias Ufer about their many years together at the club, shared amusing anecdotes and revealed dressing room secrets. Anyone who missed the premiere can already look forward to the second instalment – on 12 May, Rudi will be testing the expert knowledge of Bayer 04 fans during a quiz night.
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The Bundesliga home game against VfL Wolfsburg in the first half of the season was one of those classic ‘days to forget’ for Bayer 04 Women. It started with goalkeeper Charlotte Voll being shown a red card in the first minute of the game, and following a further sending-off, coach Roberto Pätzold's 9-women side ended up losing 5-1 to last season's runners-up. At 18.30 CET on Sunday, they'll have the chance to exact revenge at the AOK Stadium - and pick up valuable points in the race for third place.
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They're well on their way to becoming German champions for the 35th time and once again proved their incredible class in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. This Saturday, 14 March (kick-off: 15.30 CET), Bayern Munich will be the visitors to the BayArena. It'll be a meeting of the two Bundesliga teams with the most dominant styles of play. A look at our opponents shows the visitors from the Bavarian capital have many strengths - but are also vulnerable.
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